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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






Mother BicI^er'diJI^e. 



3Wr U'> 







MARY A. BICKERDYKE. 



THE WOMAN WHO BATTLED FOR THE 
BOYS IN BLUE. 




Her Life anp Labors for the Relief of Our 

Soldiers. Sketches of Battle Scenes 

AND Incidents of the Sani 

TARV Service. 



fi- 



WRITTEN BV 



■ AUG 12" i 



MARGARET B. DAVIS. V>i, / $"*/ O C 



Of 



PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF M. A. BICKERDYKE. 



SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.: 
Pkintkd and Sold bv A. T. Dewey. 

Oftite of the FraLernal Record. 



y 



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Entered, aeco7-ding to Aet of Congress, in the Year iSS6, by 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 







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©O THE SOLDIBf^S 

\Wr)0 l^FesePvcd i^i lr)tcqpily ^^*, /IngGPicar) i"\epuDnc 

BY THEIR COURAGE AND PATRIOTISM, 

Through Toi)', Sickness, Wounds and Dealh, 

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED. 




SKBF^T-a^Y. 




i6o^«s.,rf?i^>^Ig'POR\ has usually been written in the 
glare of battle-fields, to extol the name of 
kings and heroes, while the little rills from 
the heart that flowed into the abodes of 
want and wretchedness, stanching bleeding 
wounds and drying the falling tear, have 
been too often overlooked. The world is 
not rich enough to neglect the touching 
story of i*lorence Nightingale in the Crimea, or of the hun- 
dreds of Florence Nightingales whose sweet and tender 
ministries softened the grim features of the civil war. And 
no one of that host of tender-hearted women who went out 
under the auspices of the Sanitary or Christian Commission 
rendered more valuable service in the hospitals than Mary 
A. Bickerdyke. Such is the united testimony of those 
great soldiers, Grant, Sherman, Logan, Pope, and Miller, 
all of whom knew her well. But she needs no testimonials, 
for her name and noble deeds are still fragrant in the mem- 
ory of the officers and soldiers of the Western armies. 



X Prefatory. 

But memory is frail, the present generation will soon pass 
away, while the heroic deeds of this remarkable woman are 
too precious to go out in oblivion. It has been a work 
of pleasure and gratification on the part of the publisher to 
secure the facts and thrilling incidents of this noble life, 
and crystallize them into a permanent shape for the example 
and inspiration of future generations. 

This book has been prepared and published specially fo'' 
her benefit. For years her heroic labors received no 
recognition from a Government that has been liberal in re- 
warding its soldiers. This may have been partly owing to 
that shrinking diffidence that careJ not to have its merits 
measured in dollars and cents. True worth is ever modest 
and retiring. It is a flower that loves the shade. Still, the 
laborer is worthy of his reward, and some friends a short 
time ago secured for her a pension from the Government, a 
mere pittance, wholly insufficient to furnish a reasonable 
support, now that the infirmities of age have made her un- 
able longer to care for herself. Surely the soldiers she 
loved so well, the ladies of the Relief Corps, and a 
patriotic [)ublic, will not forget her now. Every one who 
buys this little volume will not only have a souvenir of a 
noble woman, but the satisfaction of knowing that they have 
helped to brighten the few remaining years of one who gave 
her best energies in relieving the sick, consoling the dying, 
and transmitting to the homes of the living the last words 
of their brave dead. 



dif^^Efi, 



CHAPTER I. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke's Character — Her Home near the Mis- 
sion Dolores, and her Appearance — Lifting the Veil — 
The Tale that Charms— Wifely Duties— Marching 
Away — Womanss' Patriotism 13-33 

CHAPTER II. 

Galesuurg, Illinois — The National Hymn — Off to the War 
with Precious Freight — Soldiers at Cairo — Belmont — 
Bivouac Fires near Fort Henry — Mrs. Bickerdyke's 
Heroism at Fort Donelson — Washing at Savannah — 
Eighty War Steamers Moving up the Tennessee — Battle 
OF Shiloh — Agent in the Military Field 34-54 

CHAPTER II I. 

The Angel of the Hospitals and the Soldiers' Mother — 
Farmington — The Field of Iuka— Corintht-Washing in 
THE Woods — The Board of Trade Regiment — A Welcome 
Order— Interior of a Hospital Tent — The Homes of 
Mourning — Gifts for the Soldiers — Winter Scenes. 
55-76 

CHAPTER IV. 

Memphis — Immense Laundries — "The Boys Who Follow the 
Flag'" — Frightful Sufferings at Fort Pickering— The 
Gayoso Block Hospital — Officers and Soldiers — The 
"Cow and Hen Mission" — A Soldier's Wedding — Vicks. 
BURG — Hospital Tents — Little Treasures — The Fall of 
Vicksburg — An Amusing Incident — Preparing for the 
Autumn Campaign 77-99 



xii Contents. 

CHAPTER V. 

Chattanooga — "Log-heaps" — "The Battle in the Clouds" 
— A Tempestuous Night — Funerals at Christmas-tide — 
Huntsville — A Trip to the North — On to Atlanta — At 
RiNGOLD — The Field Hospital at Resaca — Kingston — 
War in the Woods — New Hope — In Ambush — The Porta- 
ble Oven — Trying the Dough — Woman's Influence. 
100-123 

CHAPTER VI. 

Allatoona Pass and Kenesaw Mountain — Marietta — "The 
Twins," or "The Babies" — Ev r Alert — "The Gate City 
OF THE South" — The Battle of Atlanta — Sanitary Fairs — 
Mrs Bickerdyke's Influence — The March to the Sea — 
Wilmington — Prisoners from Florence and Anderson- 
viLLK — The Campaign of the Carolinas — " Bummers" — 
Kilpatrick's Cavalrymen — Beaufort — The Cows Review 
— On Hoard the River Queen 124-147 

CHAPTER VII. 

Lee's Surrender — Mourning for President Lincoln — Mother 

BiCKERDYKE UPON HER HORSE — TheLONG BrIDGK — A SUI'ERl! 

Pageant — The Grand Review of General Sherman's 
Army — The Calico Dress and Sunbonnet — Through the 
Golden Days of June — In the South and West — Dis- 
charged — Soldiers at Chicago — Assistance in procuring 
Pensions — AtTopeka-The Presidio — Our Honored Dead 
— The Soldiers' Mother 14S-166 



GfiMmm I. 



Mrs. Bickerdykk's Character — Her Home near the Mis- 
sion Dolores and her Appearance— Lifting the Veil— 
The Tale that Charms — Wifely Duties — Marching 
Away— Woman's Patriotism. 




RS. MARY A. BICKERDYKE is 
noted throughout the length and breadth 
of our country for her success as a 
soldiers' nurse in the War of the Re- 
bellion. Her motherly kindness to her 
charges made her name among them 
synonymoOs with all that is tender and 
grand in motherhood; and for this rea- 
son she became widely known as Mother Bickerdyke. 
The appellation suits her well. She bears it as a gen- 
eral does his title; and her individuality gives to it a 
refinement which those who are not acquainted with 
her may fail to understand. 

Mars, that crimson torch of the war god, which fol- 
lows the track of the sun, must have burned over her 



14 Mother Bickb.kdyke. 

birthplace when she came to earth, if there* is any 
truth in the astrologer's erudition; for she is one who 
might have faced dangers, sueh as she has braved, 
with the purpose of destroying, and made as many 
wounds as she has soothed, if Providence had not set 
beneath her breastplate that matchless jewel, a moth- 
er's heart. This places in her hand a vial of balm in- 
stead of a sword, and causes her to look upon the 
soldier with the eyes of a mother instead of those of 
an enemy. Therefore in every bosom where senti- 
ments of patriotism and of fraternal love are cherished, 
the name of "Mother Bickcrdyke" awakens feelings of 
friendship. Her life is marked by events of thrilling 
interest, and characterized by practical work strangely 
mingled with romantic incidents. 

In that part of San Francisco called the Mission 
" Mother Bickerdyke " now makes her home. She 
was invited to the Pacific Coast, as so many others 
have been, by the balmy climate, and by the fortune 
which seems to those of every other land beckon- 
ing to them with smiles. From the scene of her 
youth and labors, and from the homes of her chil- 
dren, she came to begin a new work alone, her 
only aids being great courage, and the title by which 
she is distinguished in relation to the many brave 
men who fought in the War of the Rebellion. Still, 
this title, which might become, if possessed by one d f- 
ferently constituted, the " open sesame " to all that is 
desirable in wealth or fame, is, in her hands, only 
the wine and oil of the good Samaritan flowing for 
her soldier boys. 



Hi.R Home. 15 

In all the changeful scenes which her special per- 
sonal qualities predestined her to pass through, she 
has found none more fair and peaceful than those 
which surround her in the present. Her home is in 
the upper part of a house, from the windows of which 
may be seen the waving outlines of the Potrero hills, 
a gleam of the bay to the eastward, and, all about, 
the numberless dwellings that help to form the city. 
The sound of the ancient Mission Church bells may 
often be heard in her quiet, orderly chambers. At 
morning and evening they ring as of yore, when 
the Mission fathers first heard them, over' one hun- 
dred years ago. This church is only a few blocks 
away, and now those priests are sleeping beneath the 
myrtles and mossy stones, in the little cemetery that 
half encircles its adobe walls, which are seame ; with 
age. Here the streets are rather quiet, and neither 
ostentatious wealth nor squalid poverty appear to 
disturb the current of humanity. The world of toil 
and trade, and the stirring elements that excite war, 
seem shut away from this sunny, sheltered spot. It 
is favored with monuments of the past which speak, 
to an imaginative mind, of earlier scenes that were 
looked upon by the first of our own race, who made 
their homes in this new land. The flocks and herds 
of the Mission Dolores grazed upon these grassy 
slopes, over which the soft blue of heaven seems 
bending low and tenderly. Here and there remains 
some crumbling habitation in which the Indian con- 
verts were sheltered long before the discovery of gold. 
Tliey built tliose abodes with their own dark hands; 



16 Mother Bickrrdyke. 

while the priests directed them with the patience and 
sternness their barbarous, yet submissive, minds de- 
manded. How full of wonder must have been the 
children of the woods, to see the new church in the 
freshness of its gilded shrines and bright paintings, 
so surprising and delightful to tht ir savage fondness 
for color! The ceremonies of dedicating the tem- 
ple to its patron, St. Francis, whom they were taught 
to cal San Francisco in the sweet Si>anish tong e, 
and the inscription upon the arch encircling the 
altar, must have been almost incomprehensible to 
them. The Mission fathers seemed to have thought 
that they could understand fear more readily than 
love. The words selected for their eyes, whenever 
they shjuld come to worship, were, "How terrible is 
this place! This is none other but the house of God, 
and the gate of Heaven." 

These primitive scenes have passed away entirely, 
and the new people, who claim the soil, have appro- 
priated the Mission Dolores and its lands to their own 
purposes. Still its associations appear to forbid any 
but those who desire peaceful homes and quiet pur- 
suits, from coming to mar the pleasant picture. 
Among the modern dwellings stands the old church, 
with its stout, white pillars in front, and its long, nar- 
row roof of tiles swaying with the weight of years. 
The wise Mi.ssion fathers selected this locality because 
it is particularly favored by nature Flowers bloom 
in the garden plots perpetually, and the fogs, that so 
often rise from the ocean, are kept out by the hills that 
also shelter this place from the winds. Time seems 



Patriotic Motherhood. 17 

trying to cheat mortals into the belief that the sands 
in his glass have ceased running; and insidiously in- 
vites age to an appropriate season of repose before 
the twilight hours of life have lost the glow of its 
sunbeams. 

But " Mother Bickerdyke" heeds no such allurements. 
For years she has been seen frequently in the nar- 
row doorway of her home, with bonnet and wrap 
donned ready to proceed into the realms of business. 
Without fear or special company, she travels, in 
safety, journeys which extend from a trip across the 
bay, to a tour across the continent. Few who look 
upon the self-possessed and sensible lady, with her 
gray hair and plain attire, would perceive the lumi- 
nous halo shed upon her from the diadem of mother- 
hood gemmed with the stars of patriotism; and 
which incloses within its shining circle every soldier 
of the late war as the son of her adoption. But 
when seen through the glass of her history, she is 
transformed as if by the magic wand of the fairy 
godmother that rendered such a wonderful change in 
Cinderella. Her vestments are white with purity, 
and brightened with the rose color of romance. They 
are richly fringed with the pearls of maternal love 
and duty. Her voice is sweet with the music of 
hope, and her words are expressions of cheer. Her 
glance is that of the lioness guarding her young, and 
wisdom reposes upon her brow. To her sons she is 
a mother tender to nurse them, strong to help them, 
and as constant to them in peace as in war. 

The work which benefits mankind, and the strength 
2 



18 MoxriER BiCKERDYKE. 

and will which en ible one to perform it, impress 
like an iron mould the form and character; while the 
bloom an 1 freshness of youth are worn away by 
years of toil; so the heroes of the world are usually 
pictured with lines of care and endurance upon their 
faces, and with whitened locks beneath the laurels of 
their glory. After the work of a life-time has been 
performed, comes the opinion of the world; expressed 
with much ceremony if the subject is prominent, and 
in only a passing remark or sigh of pity, if obscure. 

Notwithstanding her years, she is lively and ener- 
getic. Her figure is erect and portly, and is formed 
for action and endurance. Back from a broad, well- 
moulded brow, her gray hair is smoothly brushed, 
and then twisted, a little carelessly, into an old fash- 
ioned coil at the back of her head. Her eyes are of 
a dark blue color, and look straight at those with 
whom she speaks; the nose is slightly aquiline; the 
mouth medium and expressive of firmness; and the 
well-defined outline of the lower part of her face 
irregular and characteristic of power. The artist 
has done well with her picture, the frontispiece. Still 
the ease and cordiality of her manners, the hearti- 
ness and energy of her words, and the mobile ex- 
pression of her face, are much more indicative of her 
character than are her form and features, and those 
can scarcely be portrayed with the pencil. 

She is impulsive and full of fire and feeling; a 
woman designed to do something of note in the 
world, if circumstances offer an opportunity. All 
this physical strength and activity of mind could not 



The Guiding Power. 19 

help but work with energy in any path of life, and 
the one selected, if individual choice were permitted, 
would naturally be such as to interest the sympathies. 
At the start, a character like this may be compared 
to a fine ship, built to brave the ocean currents and 
storms, and worthy to be trusted with lives and treas- 
ures. She may sail to well-known harbors of com- 
m rce, or to the dangerous polar seas; and her course 
will be as the hand at the helm directs. This guid- 
ing power decides the world-wide difference in the 
courses that lie before her. Neither pleasure, wealth, 
nor fame awakened Mother Bickerdyke's aspirations. 
Mother! That is the word which describes the guid- 
ing power in this strong, active woman. Motherhood, 
the crown of feminine perfection, she did not wear as 
did the beautiful Madonna, bearing in her arms the 
infant with a spike of lilies in his hand. The divine 
woman, with her angelic grace and loveliness, seems 
akin to the invisible spirits of Heaven. This heroine 
is of a different mould; one in perfect contrast to 
the saintly picture, although she possesses the true 
instincts of maternity in such perfection that it sug- 
gests the similes while pointing out the difference be- 
tween them. She is of later c nturies, and of an- 
other nation and land. American women, and espe- 
cially those of that part called the Northwest, are 
nobly represented in her, because she typifies the 
greater number of the characteristics that disJlnguish 
them. But one grace of womanhood is all her own, 
and shines with a luster unborrowed from her sisters, 
because few have proved the possession of it in as 



20 Mother Bickerdvke. 

marked perfection, and none have excelled her. This 
is the remarkable depth and strength of her maternal 
feelings. 

She is a Spartan-like mother, possessed of a heart 
not only ample enough for the children who came to 
bless her own home; but when her compassion was 
awakened in behalf of the wounded soldiers who 
were suffering for their common country, she found 
room for them all in an ideal sense, and called them, 
ill her whole-souled way, "Our boys" and "My boys." 

The grand character here faintly drawn exists 
among us, arid prese ts to our eyes the form of an 
old lady in her cozy home at the Mission. She is 
like a great time-worn ship that has weathered a 
t.ousand gales, and, having carried in safety her 
priceless freight of life and fortune, is now anchored 
in the smooth waters of the bay. Yet even such a 
similitude as this i« inadequate to express a perfect 
comparison; for the peaceful tides of the sheltered 
haven find her not entirely at lest. Though nearly 
seventy years have passed over her head, and many of 
them have been marked by the crudest sufferings 
and losses, she appears ten years younger than most 
women of her age; and devotes the time which 
should be a season of perfect enjoyment and repose, 
to the interests of the men who have been wounded 
and maimed for the sake of our country, and yet 
have not received their full and deserved reward. 

Mother Bickerdyke, though having done her part 
so well, still pursues her chosen work with a spirit of 
independence and unswerving steadfastness of pur- 



Curiosity. 21 

pose that courts no attention or praise, though she 
richly deserves both. In a woman's life, it is her 
public work, and not her private character, that 
should excite the general interest. Though Ameri- 
can women share, in a marked degree, the heritage 
of freedom which is the common birthright of every 
citizen of our land, modesty generally keeps their 
personality within the limits of the social and home 
circles, however successful may be their labors in be- 
half of mankind. Still general curiosity demands 
some recognition as a right, which even Vesta may 
not deny; and, considering all things, it is better to 
grant this privilege, since the mere description of a 
public career often leads to erroneous conclusions on 
the part of the reader. 

For instance, the sketch of Mother Bickerdyke, 
contained in the book entitled, " Women of the 
War," although accurate and well written, in so far 
as its purposes go, conveys the idea that she is a 
stern, business-like woman, actuated by an uncom- 
monly philanthropic turn of mind. But this falls far 
short of the reality. Curiosity could never be content 
until it had lifted the veil from the Turkish beauty's 
face, and scanned her features. This is what it de- 
termines to do with all prominent women, whether 
they consent or not. If the figure unveiled chances to 
be admirable, it is praised accordingly; and yet it is as 
intensely ihteresting if it affords only materials for 
criticism. However noble and helpful the work may 
have been matters not; if the author of it is such as 
to awaken adverse criticisms, they are meted out to 



22 Mother Bickkrdvke. 

her without stint or mercy. This is scarcely just. It 
is hke pouring nectar from a flagon, and, after sipping 
the deHcious draught, condemning the design and 
material of the vessel from which it flowed. 

To present Mother Bickerdyke's work and charac- 
ter as it is in reality, is a difficult task, though one 
that is pleasing, on account of its association with so 
much that is noble and praiseworthy in human 
nature. Many barriers wall in the simple truth, which 
it requires time and effort to overcome; and as truth 
in its pristine beauty is fa'- more engaging than when 
embellished by the romancer's art, so wisdom coun- 
sels no borrowing of his gilded pen. But the chief 
difficulty lies m the different state of feeling and of 
public affairs now, from what existed when Mother 
Bickerdyke won her distinction. Nearly a quarter of 
a century has passed since the excitement of war 
shook the whole country. Willows have grown tall, 
above the graves that were hollowed out to receive 
the soldiers who then fell. The agony of parting 
and suspense, the terrors of battle, the rejoicings of 
victory, and the lamentations for the dead, are all 
softened and beautified by the lapse of time. 

Even the phas'^ of army life that must be pre- 
sented is one that may be unrecognized by soldiers 
themselves, who have served only in times of peace. 
The tale that fascinates in a prosperous home, is not 
of prostrate men with ghastly faces, who bleed from 
undressed wounds; nor yet of dreary hospital wards, 
where the stillness is broken by groans, and mes- 
sages from the dying. Ambition and admiration dc- 



Her Birthplace. 23 

light to follow the victorious warriors with their 
glistening bayonets and gorgeous flags, conquering 
amid the smoke and flame and thunder of the battle. 
When they march to yet prouder fields, then it is 
woman's province to weep over the slain and minister 
to the dying. To follow the mother there must strike 
a different chord of feeling, and one that is harrowing 
and sad, as well as tender and melting in its har- 
mony. 

Mother Bickerdyke was the daughter of Hiram 
Ball. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, near the 
present city of Mt. Vernon, July 19, 18 17, which was 
fifteen years after the admission of that State into the 
Union, and when those magnificent fields, that how 
flourish in annual luxuriance of grain, and support 
numberless homes in the lap of ease and peace, were 
still interspersed with wild prairies, over which the 
bison roamed, and where savage tribes pursued their 
wars. The strongest and most adventurous people 
of the country were among the settlers in this terri- 
tory; and there their hardihood was exercised until it 
became a distinguishing trait of character. A daughter 
of these dauntless people, and inheriting from them in 
a marked degree their strength and energy, Mother 
Bickerdyke was by nature fitted for the scenes in 
which she became noted. A woman of less robust 
constitution, or less courageous, though endowed with 
a spirit of patriotism as lofty, and with sympathies 
as deep and strong,, could never have rendered serv- 
ices so timely and efficient. 

Looking backward over the fifty years that inter- 



24 Mother Bickkrdyke. 

vene between the days of her youth and the present, 
it may be well to consider her as a young girl. There 
is profit and pleasure in studying the stages through 
which such human blossoms are wrought upon by 
different influences, until they are changed into the 
fadeless amaranth. She was a maiden of the Hebe 
type, all freshness and bloom, who loved the open 
air and sunshine that made her color warm and rich, 
as though she was always seen in the rosy beams of 
morning. Her figure was marked by rounded lines 
that were smooth and firm; and her motions were 
agile and free with the grace that exuberant strength 
and spirits give. At art and fashion, with their wiles 
generally so bewitching, she must have laughed, for 
she loved liberty in all things. Yet, being a woman, 
and young and fair, she could not have turned from 
her mirror without a glance of pride. Her glossy 
hair was of a light brown shade; and her fine blue 
eyes merry and sparkling. Her soft cheek, rounded 
by youth and health, melted with lovely outlines into 
a neck that was fair and strong as that of a statue. 

If she wove bright dreams of what the future 
might hold for her, it was not as other girls imagined 
theirs, while they lived as carelessly as the prairie 
flowers at their feet. Her very thoughts took the 
form of actions, and her dreams for the future found 
expression in present deeds that tended to make 
them real. Her taste found gratification in prac- 
tical things, rather than in the ideal. Others might 
stand in rapture, gazing on emerald seas of prairie 
land, and wonder at their sublime expanse that 



Wife and Mother. 25 

seemed limitless, she preferred to make her dwelling 
cheerful, and her table inviting. Besides the restless 
energy that made her speech and action changeful as 
the current of a brook, her disposition to help others, 
and to share their trials, won for her numberless 
friends 

When she consented to become a wife, the success- 
ful suitor was indeed fortunate. He could boast that 
in all the wide West there could be found no fairer, 
lovelier bride than his. She made their home bright 
and cheerful with things designed for comfort and use, 
rather than for ornament, and saw more beauty in a 
neat hearth-stone, that reflected a clear, well-replenished 
blaze, than in decorations which appealed only to an 
aesthetic taste. 

Fairest of all in this home picture, is the young 
mother so devoted to her darlings. They were ruddy 
and strong, and filled the house with sounds of child- 
ish glee. To such domestic cares was her attention 
exclusively devoted until the little ones had grown 
quite mature, and were able to assist her in per- 
forming household duties. Then she became a treas- 
ure to her friends in the neighborhood, for she was 
always ready to offer efficient help in the time of 
need. 

These years had stolen from her face and form some 
of their grace and beauty, but they had developed 
her affections and brought to her a rich treasure of 
experience. Besides she had learned that there was 
much in the world deserving of censure and condem- 
nation. Her strong feelings sometimes rose like the 



26 Mother Bicker dyke. 

winds of her native prairies, and spared not the ob- 
ject that offended her sense of honor or right. In 
these later years, changes came stealing over her home, 
as they come to others, with their insidious and resist- 
less influences. Death had not passed them by with- 
out claiming more than one of the dear home treas- 
ures. Still it was the old home indeed, until the fun- 
eral prayer and hymn were breathed for the husband 
and father. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke, strong, and keenly sensible of the 
added duties pressing upon her in consequence of her 
widowhood, did not give way to overwhelming grief, 
but bore her loss with fortitude, though her tender 
heart was pierced with sorrow, as poignant as mortal 
can experience. The youngest of her children was 
then but a few years old, and scarcely out of her arms. 
Love and duty awakened her energies anew for the 
sake of the helpless little ones, and life was still full 
of its absorbing pursuits which she followed with her 
customary directness and success. Through all these 
stages of her existence, which have just been so briefly 
outlined, she has appeared simply as the faithful wife 
and mother, beautified by her peculiar talents and 
virtues, that are for the most part the endowments of 
nature. She has done a woman's work in the world, 
and that cannot be too highly appreciated or praised, 
though it is only what success demands of every per- 
fect woman's life. She has fulfilled the mission of 
womanhood, and in a manner that has won abundant 
friendship and esteem. Her strong, willing hand has 
soothed many a feverish brow, and her hopeful voice 



The Fall of Sumter. 27 

brightened the dark hour of death. Her courag^e and 
daring have cheered the " weary in well doing," by- 
example; and she has become a pillar in the commu-' 
nity to which many eyes have learned to look when 
counsel or aid is needed. 

At this period, the first rumors of war began to 
rmg over the Land and engage general attention. 
Mrs. Bickerdyke, being of a positive and enthusiastic 
disposition, felt a great interest in the state of her 
country. Patriotism burned high and strong in her 
bosom, and her lively words were not spared to in- 
spire in others such sentiments as animated her own. 

The wintei previous to the breaking out of active 
hostilities was full of the crudest suspense and fear. 
It was a season never to be forgotten, on account of 
anxiety and hope alternately vibrating, as eagle eyes 
watched the changing appearance of the war-clouds 
that were gathering over the nation. As time ad- 
vanced, the threatened calamity became inevitable, 
though in every heart, where home and country were 
held dear, had been cherished the hope that all politi- 
cal differences would be settled in a more amicable 
way than by means of a great national conflict. 

Not until spring had returned with her warm light 
and showers, brightening the face of nature with ver- 
nal blossoms, did the threatening doom become a cer- 
tainty. On the 1 2th of April, 1861, Fort Sumter 
was surrendered by its brave commander, Major An- 
derson, to General Beauregard, after a terrific bom- 
bardment of thirty-four hours' duration.. Three da)'s 
later, President Lincoln i.ssued a call for 75,000 vol- 



28 Mother Bicki.rdyke. 

unteers. State after State was seceding from the 
Union, and the highest excitement prevailed, agitating 
ahke the inhabitants of cities and towns, and the 
dwellers in remote rural districts, who came flocking 
from their quiet homes to mingle their voices with 
the sounds of war. 

The youthful, having fewer ties to bind them to the 
domestic fireside, and possessing more enthusiastic 
and adventurous spirits than those of middle age, 
formed the larger number of the volunteers. These 
young men, the flower and pride of the country had 
not outgrown the guarding love of their mothers, that 
had always pursued them, and yet had awakened in 
the fair bosoms of sweethearts and wives those ten- 
der emotions natural to their age; and which, though 
in times of peace are silken cords, the clarion notes 
of war transform into chains stronger than death. 
Twice 70,000 hearts followed them with love and 
yearnings for their safe return, when they 

" Marched away, 
Looking so handsome, brave, and grand." 

From woman's standpo'nt, war is invested with 
horrors that are as hard for her to endure as are the 
parts which men take for them to bear. Though she 
is not called to face the cannon's mouth, and strike 
heart-piercing blows upon a fellow-creature, she must 
see the husband, on whom she leans, as a vine upon 
its support, and the son, whom she cherishes with the 
fathomless depth of a mother's love, march bravely 
to perils that are doubly terrible to her. The mag- 
nitude of woman's patriotism is thus measured by the 



Marching Away. 29 

greatest tests that it is possible to imagine. How 
could they let their darlings go, even for their 
country's sake? How could they consent to see no 
more the dear, familiar faces, and hear no more the 
welcome footsteps and beloved voices in their homes, 
knowing all the while that 

Ever onward with the brave, 

Though glory's l>anners o'er them wave, 

Death walks with viewless feet, 
That they must wait and watch and pray 
Alone; wiiile trials every day 
Around their loved ones mark the way 

Till victory is complete. 

Still the sacrifice was made in thousands of homes, 
before that awful strife was ended. The shadow that 
had come to them was changed to a reality, and at 
noonday, at twilight, and in the still night hours sad 
councils were held in anticipation of the partings 
pressing upon them so soon. In ,those scenes all 
human weakness and selfish affection se med absorbed 
by the lofty sentiments of patriotism. The grandeur 
of the human soul manifested itself in the men and 
women who sacrificed every home comfort and per- 
sonal feeling in response to the call of a duty so sub- 
lime. 

Did women grieve alone over the forsaken hearth- 
stone? Was not the sacrifice as great to the loving 
sons and husbands marching away in the magnificent 
trappings of war, although their eyes were fixed on 
the glories of fame, and their hearts set on victory? 

"Do not think my boy felt no sorrow to go," said 
a gray-haired mother, while the tears welled into her 
eyes. "He was proud and gallant as the captain 



30 :;a'OTHER BiCKERDYKE. 

himself, but the letters he sent back to us were full of 
affection and longing for the old place; and his last 
message, spoken on the bloody field to a comrade, 
was, 'Tell them at home that I thought of them to 
the last' " 

When the soldiers were preparing for departure, 
women had gathered into little circles and made with 
tact and aptitude the flags that floated in the splendor 
of all the stars and stripes, over the brave men who 
had volunteered to die if need be, that not one star 
should cease to spangle the azure of their standard. 
The days in which the soldiers departed upon their 
mission were vividly painted on the memories of 
those who saw them. Every one realized that never 
again would that place witness the same vigorous 
ranks and leaders assembled as now they were. 
Along the perilous path before them many were sure 
to fall, yet those scenes were more characterized by 
hope and faith in the valiant arm than by sorrow. 
All honor to people so heroic! They are worthy de- 
scendants of the men who conquered in the Revolu- 
tion. With shout and cheer the streets resound 
while the "boys in blue" pass through them, and 
the flash of their polished steel and iris-hued banners 
glitter in the sunlight. Songs of the soaring lark 
and spring-time's myriad blossoms seem prophesying 
their predestined victories. 

The wistful eyes that watched them depart, through 
tears, did not cease to weep when the martial music 
had grown silent in distance; but turned upon the 
vacant chambers they had left, and became clear only 



Home Efforts. 31 

to bend upon some task that might still be a benefit 
to them. With one accord the women of the coun- 
try turned their attention to devices for aiding and 
encouraging the soldiers; and for alleviating the suf- 
ferings which they knew would be inevitable. Their 
love and patriotism did not for a moment permit of 
their enduring the trials of suspense in idleness and 
vain regret. 

Little more than a vague idea of what would be 
needed, or the most acceptable, could be entertained 
by i^ersons who had had no experience in war upon 
so tremendous a scale. Being generally well read 
and intelligent, they had gathered from books and 
periodicals a theoretical knowledge, but this was found 
to be of little practical value when applied to the 
present circumstances; and it led to numberless mis- 
takes. Even the most prominent in anticipating and 
preparing for the consequences of the great battles 
that were at hand, had no well-defined course of 
action mapped out for themselves, and in many 
instances acknowledged this openly. Although they 
knew not exactly what to do, their feelings demanded 
expression, and impelled action in some direction 
that offered a promise of serving those in whom they 
felt so deep an interest. They did what seemed the 
most likely to succeed, with a faith and perseverance 
that could not fail of achieving their object in the 
end; but in the meantime the tempest was raging, 
and the land echoed with tales of suffering and want 
that thrilled every heart. 

At this period Mrs. Bickerdyke began the work 



o2 Mother Bickrrdyke. 

which has since made her famous. She was uncon- 
scious of the course tlial lay before her, never entertain- 
ing a tiiought of pursuing any philanthropic work. 
Her own life seemed full enough of care and troubles 
wiihout adding those of others, although her willing 
hands had soothed many a feverish brow, and her 
helpful words briglitened for many the dark hours of 
suffering and pain. 

When she had seen the young men march away, 
her heart had followed them with all of a mother's 
love, as well as a noble woman's patriotism. Her en- 
thusiasm contiiuKiUy increased. Every column in 
the daily press was scanned carefully, and every dis- 
patch from the seat of war anxiously considered. 
Tales of suffering began to fill the air. Sickness 
and neglect prevailed among the disabled soldiers, 
and they needed delicate food and tender nursing, 
both of which circumstances denied them. Listen- 
ing to rumors like this, her .sympathies were not ex- 
pressed in words alone, nor was she content to work 
blindly as so many did without any assurance of 
su ceeding in their object. Her mighty soul was 
roused to the utmost and began to manifest its remark- 
able latent powers. 

Her constitution and courage rendered the fear of 
disease and death an unconceived idea. Toil and 
hardship had no terrors for her. Her cheek did not 
blanch nor her eyes swim when she heard the thun- 
der of cannon, for her armor of fortitude was in- 
vulnerable to shafts like these, although they usually 
lacerate feminine sensibilities to the quick. The 



Tales of Suffering. -33 

thought which filled her was of the brave men fight- 
ing valiantly for their country, in spite of shot and 
shell that showered around them a rain of death. 
"They are hungry and cold and bleeding, and suffer, 
with none to minister to their wants," were tlie words 
that inspired her to action, while they made others 
quail and faint. By her deeds, she seemed to say, 
"My fair sisters, stay you here at the hearth-stone, 
and prepare bandages and lint for them, while I go to 
the wars, and with my own hands bind up the wounds 
of our sufifering boys." 




GSilSTBR II. 



Gat.esburg, Illinois — The National Hymn — Off to the War 
WITH Precious Freight — Soldiers at Caiko — Belmont — 
Bivouac Fires near Fort Henry — Mrs. Bickerdvke's 
Heroism at Fort Donelson — Washing at Savannah — 
•iiGHTY War Steamers Moving vr the Tennessee — Battle 
OF Shiloh— A(;ent in the Military Field. 




>IIE cold winds that swept over the 
prairie lands as they lay wrapped in 
the winter coverlid of snow, were 
beinc^ chained again in their frozen 
caves. In vain the silvery flakes had 
sought to mantle the bare trees, for 
they had been blown from the shiver- 
ing branches, as fast as they had found 
a lodgment there. But April came, 
filling the heavens with sunshine that thrilled, with 
an impulse of life, the seeds and roots nestling in its 
bosom. Every leafless twig in the orchards felt the 
warm kiss of sunbeams, and in response, nature 
twined them with fresh, rosy blooms, that scented the 
air with their fragrance. Those sweet fruit blos- 
soms ! The)- are the fairest emblems of hope and 
promise the world contains. From the town of 
(34) 



Volunteers from Galesburg. 35 

Galcsburg, in the bright spring weather, five hundred 
men had gone to the war, answering, by this heroic 
action, the first call of our country for defenders. 
Up through the clear afr, smoke wreaths curled from 
the chimneys, while beneath the roofs all who re- 
mained brooded over the nation's trouble. They 
talked with each other upon this exciting topic, to 
the exclusion of almost every other subject, and 
watched anxiously each day for new tidings. But 
who could be despondent wi h all the beauties of 
early spring awakening around them? The unfold- 
ing of young leaves and buds invites the mind to 
hopeful anticipations, and so the girls of Galesburg 
exchanged with each other sweet confidences con- 
cerning their soldier friends and lovers; then they went 
about their duties with snatches of song on their lips. 
Young housewives and old mothers prepared the 
most delicious cakes and sweetmeats, and packed 
them in strong boxes, with clean linen and other com- 
forts, thinking to send them to their particular loved 
ones, who were enduring the perils and hardships of 
civil strife. Mrs. Bickerdyke, in her energetic way, 
worked for the same purpose, though none of her 
family had gone with the Galesburg volunteers. Her 
husband had died two years before, and her sons were 
so young that they could not be admitted into the 
army; still her heart was enlisted for her country's 
welfare, and her hope gilded the edges of every cloud. 
She was eminently social in her disposition, and 
loved to meet people in an informal way; for her ob- 
ject was to learn of what they were thinking and feel- 



36 Mother Bickerdyke 

ing. Her own ideas were offered freely, and in return 
she would not take mere ceremonious commonplaces. 
Anytliing like a taste for gossip was foreign to her 
mind. Whatever she said was for a purpose, and she 
had the gift of clothing her thoughts in such quaint, 
yet clear expressions, that they struck her hearers 
with augmented force, inspiring confidence and gain- 
ing candor in return. 

During this season the whole town was made 
gloomy, by receiving, for burial, the forms of two of 
their own volunteers. One had been the sexton of a 
church, and the other a young student, both of whom 
the people had known in the pride of youthful man- 
hood; and had seen depart, in the beauty of health 
and strength, but a few weeks before. The useful- 
ness and jo)- of life they had sacrificed for their land, 
and now the dust and ashes of the offering were re- 
turned to be placed with their kindred. 

The next Sabbath, when the bells were ringing, and 
the people, well dressed and decorous, were on their 
way to church, they discussed, in subdued tones, the 
sad event, and the latest news from ihe war. 

" Mrs. Bickerdyke," said a friend, joining her, 
" Major Woodruff has written of the sickness breaking 
out among the soldiers at Cairo; perhaps you have 
heard already of their terrible condition. Some of 
them are lying entirely without care or suitable food. 
Many are down with typhoid fever, resulting from 
hunger and fatigue." 

" The Government has not yet been able to provide 
relief for them," said another who had joined the 



The National Hymn. 37 

little group. Thus many stood talking earnestly un- 
til church time. The services opened with the na- 
tional hymn; and as the deep notes of the organ and 
voices pealed in clear strains, 

" My country, 'tis of thee, 
Sweet land of liberty, 
Of thee I sing," 

The truth was brought forcibly home to every heart, 
how deeply they did 

"Love thy rocks and rills, 
Thy woods and templed hills," 

And how they had already proved that love by their 
sacrifices. Then the minister, Dr. Beecher, told them 
that his heart was too much in the cause of their land 
to allow him to do anything but prepare to relie\< lie 
suffering soldiers. His words were answered by 
every member with deep sympathy, and consequently 
church service was discontinued, in order that they 
might do the will of Heaven by performing the duties 
their leader pointed out to them. 

They all went to work eagerly, and with a definite 
purpose. Now their contributions were not only 
delicacies, but many a motherly heart recalled what 
her own family had required in sickness, and sent 
things of a like nature to those who were sick, and 
far away from loving care. Pity and charity may 
have influenced these noble workers, but the main- 
spring of their zeal was love and patriotism, so 
blended as to form one overpowering sentiment. In 
such a company, the timid or negative in disposition 
naturally look to the strong and positive for direction 
and help. The majority of women bend like the 



38 Mother Bickerdyke. 

willow, to let the storm pass over thein; and when 
one braves it with unflinching courage and strength 
they rally around her as if she were their captain. 

" How fortunate the sick men at Cairo would be. if 
you could go down to them, Mrs. Bickcrdyke," said 
one. "You have had experience in such work and 
are so strong and encouraging," added another. 

" Surely all these things must go in charge of one or 
more of us, so let us elect delegates," a lady among 
them suggested; and accordingly those who were best 
fitted to superintend the distribution of their gifts, 
and who could best be spared from home duties, were 
chosen. By Monday afternoon, a number of car 
loads ready for shipment were placed in their charge. 
Among them none looked with more pleasure or con- 
fidence upon their duties than Mrs. Bickerdyke. Her 
blue eyes beamed with enthusiasm, as she discussed 
plans with her friends. Over the broad prairie lands 
sped the train, carrying all this precious freight. The 
level stretches that met the blue horizon far away 
were green as emeralds with crisp young verdure ex- 
panding in the sunlight; and across this beautiful plair 
Mrs. Bickerdyke gave a parting glance at the fair 
homes of Galesburg, and started upon her noble, vol- 
untary mission. 

When they arrived at Cairo, with their offerings of 
comfort and cheer, Mrs. Bickerdyke said in her prac- 
tical way, " The greatest blessing that could be be- 
stowed upon the poor, brave boys would be to give 
them good nursing and good housekeeping." What 
a change took place in their miserable condition! 



Belmont. 39 

Order was restored around them, and comfort gainctl 
supremacy over pain. Their wards were transformed 
from close, uncleanly places of suffering to wholesome, 
airy chambers that invited the return of health. The 
tempting food Mrs. Bickerdyke gave them was ac- 
cepted with smiles that had long been absent from 
their thin, wan faces; and in return for her offerings, she 
was blessed by those whom she had comforted. She 
remained with them during that long summer, and 
although she heard the news of battles throughout the 
land, her heart was here, faithfully bent upon the one 
duty that seemed paramount, — the ministering to suf- 
ferers who were at hand. Even when the Confederate 
forces were gathering at Belmont, only a short dis- 
tance down the broad Mississippi, she remained at her 
post, scarcely heeding them. But when later Colonel 
Ulysses S. Grant, in command of three thousand Illi- 
nois troops, passed through Cairo, she beheld them 
with interest and pride. 

" They will need me at Belmont after the battle," 
may have been her thought, as she looked at the 
strong men in their dusty uniforms, marching with 
firm tread to the field; and she must have shud- 
dered to imagine how pale and changed some of them 
would be when she should behold them again. They 
seemed to follow their leader with only the thought 
of triumph. 

After this battle took place, Mrs. Bickerdyke was 
assigned to the field hospitals. Here in the chill No- 
vember weather, the wounded men could only be ex- 
posed to sufferings and death more cruel than that 



40 Mother Bickerdyke. 

showered upon them by the opposing forces; so they 
were removed, as soon as possible, to floating hospitals. 

The tide of war sweeping onward, marking its course 
by a trail of crimson, was slightly stayed by the 
stormy winter months. While the snow mantled the 
earth with robes of vestal purity, men seemed loath to 
stain it with each other's blood. The experience of 
the last year had made the necessity of providing 
better care for those who fell wounded in battle, and 
for the sick, apparent. Many efforts to this end were 
being made. 

In June, 1861, the Secretary of War issued an order 
appointing a Committee of Inquiry and Advice, in re- 
spect to the sanitary interests of the United States 
forces. The men selected for this duty met in Wash- 
ington and organized the United States Sanitary 
Commission. This body established co-workers and 
agents in the principal cities, at a distance where they 
could be of the greatest advantage in forming branches 
to aid in the great sanitary work. During the fall a 
powerful auxiliary branch was organized in Chicago. 
Afterward, this assumed even greater proportions than 
any of the numerous others; and besides, became a 
reservoir to receive and forward, to the best advan- 
tage, the important contributions sent to the army by 
different individuals, and by aid societies. When the 
Union forces were preparing to advance into the ter- 
ritory occupied by the Confederates, Dr. Aigner, a 
member of the United States Sanitary Commission, 
projected the plan of establishing a line of floating 
hospitals, that should be kept near the gun-boats upon 



Camp Fires at Fort Henry. 41 

the Southern waters. This idea met with approval, 
and the first of these sanitary steamers was set afloat 
in the Mississippi. It proved to be a success and was 
soon joined by others. Large suppHes of Government 
stores were obtained, and surgeons and nurses were 
secured for the soldiers. Thus it was that when the 
campaign of 1862 opened, the hands of Liberty were 
filled with balm for healing those who should suffer 
in her cause. 

The eyes of the warrior, looking southward, rested 
upon Fort Henry, as a Ct»nfederate stronghold to be 
taken; and accordingly Grant moved forward with 
his soldiers while a fleet of gun-boats went up the 
Cumberland, to act in concert with the land forces. 
The snows and heavy rains of February drenched the 
ground, as the invading army proceeded, and tlie flo- 
tilla made way with greater speed against the swollen 
volume of the river. Before Grant and his men had 
time to begin operations, Commodore Footecompelled 
the Confederates to evacuate the fort, most of the 
prisoners escaping to Donelson. 

Amongseveral nurses and surgeonsof the army, Mrs. 
Bickerdyde was here, rejoicing over the good fortune 
of the victors, with more than patriotic feelings, 
since so few men had been wounded. Now her will- 
ing hands were free from duty, so she found time to 
view the scenes around her with an unpreoccupied 
mind. She stood looking out through the chill air 
of the winter night at the camp-fires of Grant's army. 
The dark figures of the soldiers moved to and fro 
a-ainst the ruddy lights, that revealed with flickering 



42 Mother Bickerdvke. 

gleams their surroundings, and the stars above ap- 
peared like white diamond points in contrast. The 
glowing flames were cheerful to the men who were 
weary with marching, and perhaps in the embers 
some soldier pictured his far-away home and treas- 
ures, while he thought of the morrow which would 
find him among the ranks starting to besiege another 
stronghold; and that promised not to be so easily 
taken as the one captured to-day. But the warm 
blaze caused comrades to talk of their friends and 
loved ones, and to encourage each other with prospects 
of future triumphs, until sleep in mercy made them 
forget their present perils. To Mrs. Bickerdyke this 
was an impressive scene, and one that remained in 
her memory ever after. 

The next morning the troops started for Fort Don- 
elson, leaving their overcoats and all unnecessary 
things behind them. A fair blue sky arched above, 
and they went as gaily as if to a banquet. Now 
their aim was victory, and the thought of failure 
thrilled them with redoubled determination to take 
the Tort. The gun-boats hastened, by way of the 
river, to the point of attack. In the meantime, ihe 
world looked on with anxious eyes, watching their 
proceedings. Many a heart ached with dread and 
suspense every hour during that severe struggle; while 
the soldiers who took part in it suffered untold ago- 
nies. The weather changed suddenly, and winter 
blew upon the unprotected ranks with piercing winds, 
and rain, and snow. For three days the fight lasted; 
and the assailing forces endured hunger and cold. 



Fort Donelson. 43 

lying down at night exhausted upon the bare, wet 
earth, and arising at dawn, unrefreshed, to recom- 
mence the terrible contest. Shot and shell poured 
into the bright waters of the Tennessee, and the 
helpful gun-boats were driven back with heavy losses; 
but Grant's determined men, strong in faith and 
dauntless in courage, kept up the siege until the fort 
surrendered. The great North was filled with re- 
joicing, which was loudly proclaimed by the ringing 
of bells, the booming of cannon, and other public 
demonstrations. While the Union was exulting over 
its first great victory, hundreds of the soldiers who 
had been wounded in winning it were taken from the 
blood-stained snow, with their garments frozen upon 
them. 

This was the first battle-field that Mrs. Bickerdyke 
^aw, and it was one of the most terrible. There were 
no available places to be used as hospitals, and many 
of the men lay suffering with their clothes unremoved, 
and their wounds undressed until they perished. The 
country, which was making every effort to relieve 
them in their extremity, could not succor them until 
hundreds had died. Mrs. liickerdyke and her small 
party witnessed this calamity with courage; and, with 
unremitting activity, bent upon relieving as many as 
possible. She saw men with mangled limbs lying 
upon bare floors, protected only by their soiled and 
tattered uniforms, and in the direst want. Perhaps, 
as she bent over one with a bowl of broth in her 
hand, and a bandage for his wound, the poor sufferer 
would say, "I am dying now," and breathing into 



44 Mother Bickerdvke. 

her ears a message for those he held most dear, expire 
before her eyes. Another less serioirsly injured, 
would be so thankful for her aid that he would ex- 
[)rcss his feelings with tears. 

The Confederates who had been hurt were taken 
in charge by these willing workers, after having been 
deserted by their own surgeons. When ministering 
to them it was forgotten that they were fallen foes, 
and the kindness they received filled them with 
surprise and gratitude, often touchingly expressed. 
"That arm would not have done so well, if I had 
known what sort of people I was fighting," said one, 
as his shattered arm was being dressed by gentle and 
skillful hands. 

From a weird incident that occurred here it may 
be gathered how courageous and deeply interested 
Mrs. Bickerdyke was. Through the darkness that 
wrapt the whole landscape at midnight, a strange 
light appeared flitting about over the deserted battle- 
field, where the dead still lay awaiting burial. This 
was seen by an officer who chanced to be looking 
out of his tent, and he sent some one to inquire into 
the cause of the phantom semblance. He was 
startled on the return of his messenger to learn that 
it was Mrs. Bickerdyke examining, by the light of a 
lantern, those who had been left, because she feared 
that some among them might still be alive. She said 
that she could not endure the thought that any con- 
scious being was lying out there in the cold and gloom 
with the slain. Through that awful field she searched, 
not with a grief-stricken heart seeking her kindred, 



A Weird Incident. 45 

which might have inspired her with such fearlessness, 
but only for l^umanity's sake. Rarely, indeed, does 
a woman possess such nerve or self-forgetfulness as 
this. 

These harrowing scenes, never to be forgotten by 
those who passed through, them, were, in a measure, 
ended by the arrival of the hospital steamer, City of 
Memphis, loaded with sanitary stores taken on at 
Cairo. Physicians arrived from Chicago on the first 
trains, after telegrams had been sent for them. Two 
days later a number of sanitary steamers bfought effi- 
cient relief Mrs. Bickerdyke accompanied five boat 
loads of the wounded soldiers, as they were being re- 
moved to different hospitals along the rivers. She 
did all that she could to lessen their pain during these 
necessary journeys; and succeeded so well that she 
gained the most sincere confidence and admiration of 
the officers and surgeons, who could appreciate her 
remarkable executive ability and endurance. After 
she had seen the courageous sufferers placed in good 
care, she turned her attention to another feature of 
her work, which gained her still greater esteem from 
those who already recognized her superior abilities. 
With true feminine caution and forethought, she had 
the cast-off clothing of the men saved, and succeeded 
in obtaining an order from the proper authorities to 
have them cleansed at Savannah. She superintended 
this task herself, having the washing done by hired 
contrabands. In view of the battles which were 
known to be approaching shortly, this was extremely 
prudent. The army had grown so rapidly that the 



46 Mother Bickerdyke. 

sanitary projects designed by Government could not 
at first be of practical benefit when most required; 
and therefore all resources husbanded for such occa- 
sions would be of untold value to those who should 
need them. Mrs. Bickerdyke realized this. She 
knew what anguish awaited some of those who would 
fall wounded at Shiloh, and for their sakes she did 
not shrink from the hard, self-imposed duty of assort- 
ing and having prepared the thousands of soiled 
articles that would have been utterly worthless but 
for her; but which, after these exertions, would be 
applied to many a purple bruise and bleeding hurt, 
affording ease, and the sweet blessing of purity. 
Her energy and strength, which had before seemed 
inexhaustible, gave way while she was engaged in 
this sickening task, but fortunately the illness lasted 
only a short time. 

Was not her resignation in performing such repul- 
sive work for humanity's sake as noble and self- 
sacrificing as that of a commander who leads his men 
into the very jaws of death? It is not the pale- 
faced nun, cloistered in a lonely cell, who should be 
pictured as the prototype of self-abnegation; but such 
a woman as this, strong, high-minded, and capable of 
overmastering sympathies that cause her to forget 
every selfish feeling or desire. 

In March, Mrs. Bickerdyke went on board the gun- 
boat, Fanny Bullet, and accompanied the 21st Regi- 
ment of Indiana Volunteers to Pittsburg Landing. 
A fleet of more than eighty war steamers moved up 
the dark waters of the Tennessee in a heavy storm of 



Youthful Heroes. 47 

rain and sleet. Many of them carried troops who 
had fought at Fort Donelson, and these had walked 
two miles over the bottom-lands, in ice-cold water, 
ankle deep, to reach the steamers, where they found 
crowded apartments and no fires or refreshments. 
Still they joined in the cheers that went up from the 
hopeful army. The next morning brought sunshine, 
and they were welcomed by the songs of birds ringing 
through the air, and the freshened face of nature 
smiling around them. Although many of these men 
had suffered the hardships of war, every one moved 
with the quick step, and examined his surroundings 
with the light-hearted curiosity of lads who defied 
danger. The young leaves were just bursting from 
their d-owny sheaths upon trees and saplings, and 
beneath them blue-bells had begun to open their small 
cups to the light. Even though the lowlands were 
damp and unhealthful from the late storms, and the 
rains that still fell at intervals, this did not lessen the 
enthusiasm that reigned, and was especially marked 
among the young volunteers, who were yet filled with 
the glow of newly awakened patriotism. Many of 
these soldiers were little more than boys, and among 
them could be found those who had been cherished as 
the pride and joy of a whole household. 

One like this, Louis R. Belknap, was in the i6th Regi- 
ment of Wisconsin Volunteers. He had seen scarcely 
nineteen years, but was tall and broad shouldered, and 
had a manly will to master any task that Providence 
might set before him. Still his cheeks were as 
blooming, and his dark blue eyes as sparkling as those 



48 Mother Bickerdyke. 

of a girl. His father and brothers and sisters loved 
him with more fondness than was naturally due from 
them, because he had been left in their care a 
motherless babe. This blithesome, half-willful boy- 
was the life of his home, and there he was still called 
"little Louis," as he had been when his sunny hair 
clustered in ringlets about his neck. The prospects 
opening before him were inviting, and he surveyed 
them with the confidence which is given by the high 
spirits and joy of perfect youth. 

Suddenly the clouds of war lowered over the land, 
and to him they formed a dark background against 
which the gorgeous trappings of the army shone with 
dazzling brilliancy. The fancies that had always 
been kindled into admiration by heroes were made 
real, and appealed to him with the force of action. 
Besides, the higher sense of patriotism was awakened. 
"What is my life compared to the integrity of this 
great land for which so many have already died ? " 
was the thought that absorbed all lesser ideas, and 
he enlisted at the first call for volunteers, without 
having even consulted those who loved him most ten- 
derly. From Camp Grant his letters were full of the 
delight he took in a soldier's life. " It is glorious," he 
said in one of them; and concluded, "now I am ready 
for my first battle, and I hope you are glad to know 
that I am willing to die for my country." 

At Pittsburg Landing he was in the division under 
General Prentiss, which was surprised about sunrise 
on the first day. He was one of the brave boys who 
rushed to their tents and seized their guns at the 



Prentiss's Command. 49 

earliest sounds of strife. Nobly he stood performing 
his duty until he was wounded, and as a comrade 
was bearing him to the rear a fatal ball struck him. 
With his expiring breath he said, " Tell my friends 
that I died on the field of battle." After Shiloh 
was won, he was buried with the members of his com- 
pany. He was a generous, noble boy; still, it is better 
to know that he died bravely as he did, than to be 
assured that he is still alive, and had fled like a cow- 
ard, as so many did that day. So this beautiful 
youth was placed in a soldier's grave. The pre- 
cious offering was not in vain, for, years after, Gen- 
eral Grant, when describing this battle, wrote of 
General Prentiss's command, " It had rendered valiant 
service, and had contributed a good share to the de- 
fense of Shiloh." 

This triumph, although so costly, was a glory 
to the land, and thousands of citizens expressed 
their joy in public demonstrations. Others have pict- 
ured, with skill, those mighty contending forces, and 
shown to whom should be given the laurels of the 
warrior's wreath. But there is another view, and 
though it is sad, it invites the attention by the stern 
beauty of truth, or by its appeal to all that is charit- 
able and tender in the human heart. Who would 
leave out of the picture of war the prostrate figures 
of the slain, or forget, in their praise of the vic- 
torious heroes, those who had shed their blood in the 
^ause ? 

While the battle was raging, a brave soldier, who 
had been disabled in the engagement at Fort Donel- 
4 



50 Mother Bickerdyke. 

son, lay in his cot listening to the rattle and din of 
the fight. This was General C. F. Smith, and Mrs. 
Bickerdyke was his attendant, nursing him with the 
gentlest care. He awakened in her a high admiration 
by his longing to join in the engagement. About 
noon of the first day, when the tide of battle seemed 
to be against the Federals, he could not be restrained, 
but rushed through his tent, exclaiming, " It can't be 
— those brave troops will never surrender. They will 
fight to the last, and conquer. Oh, that I were with 
them ! " He soon joined many of those ranks, but 
not to guide them to victory, for they were numbered 
with the dead. 

Sunday night, after the conflict had ceased until 
day should dawn again, the rain poured upon the 
cheerless bivouacs; weary soldiers lay on the wet 
earth, unprotected from its pitiless streams, and with 
sleepless eyes that could not see a single star in the 
black heavens, but, instead, the red glare of a shell,- 
as it sped on its errand of death to the Confederate 
encampments. Gun-boats, stationed in the river, sent 
these missiles every fifteen minutes during the night. 
One soldier said, " I could not sleep, so I spent part of 
the dreary hours in carrying water from the creek tn 
some who were lying in an old house, wounded." 
Every available habitation was used to shelter those 
who were injured. The surgeons and their assistants 
toiled constantly at their humane duties, while their 
lamps, glimmering in the darkness, revealed sights 
that made the strongest warrior turn away. General 
Grant said in regard to one of these scenes, " Some 



The Wounded at Shiloh. 51 

time after midnight, growing restive under the storm 
..nd the continuous pain [he had sprained his ankle], 
I moved back to the log-house on the bank. This 
had been taken as a hospital, and all night wounded 
men were being brought in, their wounds dressed, a 
leg or an arm amputated, as the case might require, 
and everything being done to save life or to alleviate 
suffering. The sight was more iinendnrable than en- 
countering the rebel fire, and I returned to my tree in 
the rain." 

Mrs. Bickerdyke did not see this field during the 
battle. " I had too much to do for that," she said; 
" but as the wounded men were being brought in, al- 
though they were suffering severely, their hearts were 
so full of the recent occurrences that they could not 
help talking about them. As they had been stationed 
in different places, and described the scenes from 
their various standpoints, I gathered a complete 
idea of what had been done. The saddest thing in 
my experience was receiving their last messages and 
little treasures to be sent home to their families when 
death came to relieve them from pain. Such cries 
as, ' What will become of my children ?' were hardest 
of all to bear." 

These thrilling words found a full response in the 
motherly heart that beat but to soothe and che r 
those who were sacrificing so much for our country's 
sake. She worked faithfully, and with remarkable 
courage, in a small house that had been placed in her 
charge, and where lay seventy wounded soldiers and 
eight officers. The rain continued to fall, and before 



52 Mother Bicker dyke. 

relief could be obtained by the arrival of hospital 
steamers the utmost destitution prevailed, adding ex- 
tra pangs to those who already suffered as muchas 
they could endure. Throughout the vast encamp- 
ment, die tents were filled with sorrowful occupants, 
lying upon beds of damp straw. To them the watch- 
ful care and gentle touch of such as Mrs. Bickcrdyke, 
came like ministrations from an angel of mercy. In 
these scenes she needed all her strength, and it served 
her well; for she found happiness in relieving the 
most neglected, besides caring for those who occupied 
the house placed in her possession. These men were 
fortunate; for with womanly tact, she contrived to 
make them feel an influence like that exercised by one 
who has in them a personal interest. Indeed, they 
could not help becoming sensible of her tender re- 
gard, because her sympathies went out to them so 
wholly that she never thought of herself, or seemed 
conscious that she looked continually upon sufferings, 
the sight of which few could endure. Her only 
thought during these trying seasons is beautifully ex- 
pressed in her own simple words: " I kept doing some- 
thing all the time to make them better, and help them 
to get well." 

Here, her dress suggested no ideal of grace or fash- 
ion, but, instead, was one to which she had scarcely 
given a thought. Her movements were not such as 
the artist loves to study, still she won more praise and 
gave more delight than the fairest belle in her own 
high circle. How radiant were her smiles in those 
dismal days, as she went and came witli a cheering 



The Wounded Sent North. 53 

word and a welcome gift on numberless errands! 
Doctors and sanitary agents sought her help and 
counsel, and found them a blessing. Her name was 
spoken with expressions of gratitude by numberless 
soldiers, and they remembered it ever after. Toward 
the last of that terrible week, the encouraging sounds 
of the long-expected steamers were heard upon the 
river, and soon they crowded the landing. Up the 
slippery banks stores for immediate use were taken, 
and distributed to those who had waited so long for 
them. As one of the steamers, the Patten, had to 
leave immediately. General Grant permitted her stores 
to be placed upon his floating head-quarters, the Ti- 
gress, until a place could be prepared for them; be- 
cause there was neither building nor tent upon the 
shore that could serve them for a shelter. 

The changeful weather of April gave place to May 
sunshine, and a large number of the soldiers, who had 
suffered here so long, were carried back to the [)urc^ 
invigorating air of the North, and placed in military 
hospitals there. The governor of Illinois chartered a 
number of steamboats to bring back the disabled 
soldiers of that State; and at Chicago the Sanitary 
Commission undertook the duty of receiving and en- 
tertaining veterans who were returning from the scenes 
of action. This proved to be the nucleus of the cel- 
ebrated Soldiers' Home at Chicago. Other transports 
carried the wounded away from Pittsburg Landing to 
Paducah and to Savannah. Mrs. Bickerdyke went 
to the latter place, and continued her work there. 
With an aptitude which springs from originality, she 
found ways of carrying into effect her ideas, while 



54 Mother Bickerdyke. 

another might have waited half baffled for want of 
help. She would not offer to those who possessed the 
fastidious appetites of invalids, food from which they 
could not help but turn away. Yet what could be 
done to better this state of the diet supply, when all 
resources were exhausted ? The whole town was in 
want of many necessary things. This problem re- 
mained unsolved until Mrs. Bickerdyke, seemingly 
without a second thought, had a large stove placed in 
her own room, and there cooked with skill and suc- 
cess the delicate preparations that her patients re- 
quired. While she was doing this humane work, san- 
itary supplies were brought for their relief These 
timely gifts had been prepared in many a quiet home, 
from which they were forwarded to Chicago, and 
there received bythe Sanitary Commission, re-arranged 
and sent in charge of an agent to the places where 
they would be of the most service. 

"In whose care shall I leave them, and who will 
distribute them," the agent inquired of one of the 
medical authorities at Savannah. " With Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke," he quickly answered; "there is not another 
here who is more faithful, or would do more good 
with them." One so efficient, and so interested in 
caring for the soldiers, could not- remain long unrecog- 
nized by the Sanitary Commission. Mrs. Porter, the 
wife of an army chaplain, who was connected with 
the Commission, was sent from Chicago with a num- 
ber of nurses to Savannah. There she met Mrs. 
Bickerdyke, and, becoming interested in the same 
work, secured their appointments from the Commis- 
sion, as agents in the military field. 



Gi^EfBK III 



The Angel of the Hospitals and the Soldiers' Mothek— ' 
Farmington — The Field ok Iuka— Corinth — Washing in 
THE Woods — The Board of Trade Regiment — A Welcome 
Order— Interior of a Hospital Tent — The Homes of 
Mourning— Gifts for the Soldiers — Winter Scenes. 




•HE long summer days dawned and lin- 
gered at Savannah, on the Tennessee 
vI^Qh^I/ River, but the sunlight fell uselessly 
upon many a neglected field and rav- 
aged orchard. During the afternoons 
it was shut away from the hospital 
chambers, for there in the quiet wards 
were many whose eyes had grown dim 
from pain and weakness. Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke and Mrs. Porter performed their chosen duties 
here, as constantly and patiently as two sisters of 
charity, yet each in her own way. Alike they sacri- 
ficed all personal comforts and never thought of rec- 
reation or change. Their food was plain, and their 
dress as simple as possible. They toiled together in 
harmony that was rendered complete by the differ- 
ence in their natural attributes. Mrs. Porter had a 



56 Mother Bickerdyke. 

compassionate disposition, and was highly cultivated. 
Her figure was rather slight and delicate, her com- 
plexion pale, and her eyes and hair were dark. The 
accents of pity were so often blended with her words 
that her voice became permanently low and plaintive; 
and her sympathies were expressed so frequently and 
so gently, that the soldiers called her the "Angel of 
the Hospitals." She was a perfect contrast to Mrs. 
Bickerdyke, whose sanguine temperament and inde- 
pendent disposition made her strong and cheerful, 
until she seemed to inspire others with hope and 
strength, even under the most depressing circum- 
stances. 

Above a narrow cot with its snowy counterpane^ 
Mrs. Porter bent, speaking words of consolation to a 
dying boy. Her own countenance was radiant with 
deep, pure faith, and her voice, so earnest and tender, 
awakened feelings like her own in the listener, filling 
his trembling soul with courage and joy. In unnum- 
bered instances like this, she soothed the agonies of 
death; and to all who suffered, her ministrations were 
a blessing. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke made her last round through the 
wards at night. The lamps burned low, and many of 
the wounded soldiers slept, while others watched with 
heavy eyes. Here and there she administered a po- 
tion, or some refreshment, as she passed along, caring 
for them all. " Are you not tired, Mother l^icker- 
dyke?" inquired one thoughtful fellow, as she served 
him. 

" What if I am, that is nothing. I am well and 



v\>vvv\\\voc^^OK^d!«^d^{({!?((}t;:(ii!!!S 



Farmington. 57 

strong-, and all I want is to see you so too," she re- 
plied in lively tones. 

In a few moments afterward, she stood unflinch- 
ingly at the surgeon's operating table, and assisted 
him while he performed some painful duty. After 
this the patient was placed in her charge, and she 
gave him all necessary restoratives. " I shall surely 
die now," he murmured, " take a message from me to 
my p'or family." 

" Now do not talk. You are going to take all your 
messages to them yourself; for I know you have a 
splendid chance to get well," returned her cheerful 
voice. 

Long afterward, she said earnestly, " Those men 
were very brave, bearing the most terrible sufferings 
in a heroic manner, and with little complaint." 

July found few soldiers in Savannah. The larger 
portion of those who had been taken there with the 
shadow of death falling over them, had recovered 
health, and departed to rejoin their regiments. Others 
less fortunate had returned to their Northern homes, 
scarred and disqualified for future military service. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke saw with pleasure that the num- 
bers in her charge were rapidly decreasing; still she 
did not think of spending a few weeks in rest. Her 
step was as firm, and her eye as clear as though she 
had not watched with the sick for so many 
months. There was work for her to do elsewhere. 
At Farmington, the hospital was sadly in want of just 
such services as she was fitted to render. No sooner 
was she called to this new and trying scene than she 



58 Mother Bickerdyke, 

hastened to gather all sanitary supplies that were not 
needed at Savannah, and went with them to Farmir 
ton. On her arrival there she exclaimed, " Never di. 
a place need cleaning so much as this one does. The 
men here have scarcely a chance to recover, while 
they are so uncomfortable." 

Immediately she set a number of colored men t( 
work, and in a short time every ward was rendeicJ. 
as fresh and inviting as such places could be. 

The progress of the war was southward, along the 
Tennessee River, and in September a battle was 
fought at luka. Here the Union Army, led by Gen- 
erals Grant and Rosecrans, bore the national flag to 
victory; and they marched on amid the cheers and re- 
joicing that filled the air in consequence of their suc- 
ces.s. This was a hard fought contest, and several 
hundred Federal soldiers remained upon the ground 
wounded. Mrs. Bickerdyke again walked over a 
blood-stained field, to save from death many a life 
fast ebbing away for want of immediate succor. 
Quickly and deftly she stanched the blood flowing 
from wounds and bound them with skill; in this way 
saving untold numbers of brave men from the de- 
stroyer they had so courageously faced. She accom- 
panied them as they were taken in wagons to the hos- 
pital at Farmington, which she had previously ar- 
ranged for their reception. The numbers here were 
swelled to nearly fifteen hundred, and made the place 
uncomfortably full, so it was decided to remove them 
to the more ample accommodations which could be 
obtained at Corinth, as soon as the condition of the 
patients would permit. 



The Academy Hospital. 59 

At Corinth the academy for the education of young 
women was converted into a military hospital; and 
during September it was placed under Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke's charge. This was a b autiful building, sit- 
uated upon high grounds that sloped downward in 
every direction, in broad, cultivated lawns. 

As the men were being taken in conveyances from 
Farmington, Mrs. Bickerdyke not only went with them 
to alleviate sufferings on the painful journey, but did 
much to prevent the waste that is usual upon such 
occasions. Owing to limited time and means of 
transportation, culinary utensils, soiled clothing, and 
such things as were not absolutely necessary in fitting 
up the place to which they were going, were fre- 
quently left without regard as to what would after- 
ward become of them. With prudent forethought Mrs. 
Bickerdyke had all these articles packed closely, and 
when she saw that they were to be left, ex- 
claimed in surprise, " Do you suppose that we are 
going to throw away those things which the daugh- 
ters and wives of our soldiers have worked so hard to 
give us? I will prove that they can be saved, and 
the clothes can be washed too. Just take them 
along," she concluded, and lier orders were obeyed. 

An immense cooking-stove that had been sent to 
the Farmington hospital, and used there, was left in 
the woods, as heavy and unnecessary freight. Tliis 
•did not escape Mrs. Bickerdyke, who could appreciate 
its value, and she had it taken on to Corinth. Here 
it did good service for many months afterwards. As 
she became more widely known, her strength of pur- 



60 Mother Bfckerdyke. 

pose and executive ability gained the confidence and 
favor of the authorities, who furnished the means to 
carry out her plans, and to extend them indefinitely. 
The Academy Hospital was one of the most complete 
in the South. All of its details were Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke's especial care, and beside, she did much other 
work, establishing a large diet kitchen and a laundry 
that cleaned an abundance of linen for several hos- 
pitals in Corinth, besides the one under her own super- 
vision. 

The great bales of soiled clothing that she had 
saved from being burned were sent in charge of 
colored men into the woods, to be washed. This 
process lasted nearly a week. After she had made 
her round of inspection at the Academy, and given 
orders for the day, she mounted a white horse, and 
rode away from Corinth, two miles into the forest, 
where she found the men kindling fires under the 
•large iron wash kettles, and handling the clothes with 
pitch-forks. They tossed the garments about, reveal- 
ing among the folds dark stains of crimson, that filled 
the dusky workmen with superstitious dread. Some 
were carrying water from the stream near by, and 
others stirring barrels of soft soap with long wooden 
ladles, preparing the suds, that foamed and bubbled 
over upon the grass. On the arrival of their mounted 
commander, each man felt a thrill of pride to receive 
her orders, and execute them in such a way as to win 
the word and smile of approval which she never failed 
to give, when they were deserved. Neither did she 
spare those who merited b lame, and they all knew 



vM.VMiL>.V»iXVtViCWi^Oi!di!Qtt 



Battle at Corinth. 61 

that from her they would get their due. Lines were 
stretched from tree to tree, and soon the breezes flut- 
tered through a thousand pieces of fresh white Hnen, 
that gathered the sweet wood scents and purity from 
the sunshine. Like a thrifty housewife, she had the 
pieces counted and carefully folded for future use. 
The gleam of her white horse often appeared through 
the woods, now brilliant with the autumnal glory of 
red and golden leaves; and she rode through the 
streets watching the troops that came pouring into 
Corinth, with discerning eyes. She made all things 
ready for the battle that seemed approaching. 

After the engagement at luka, General Grant had 
taken part of the army to Jackson, and the Confed- 
erate generals, Van Dorn and Price, perceiving the 
division in the Union forces, undertook to recapture 
Corinth. General Rosecrans defended this position 
with an army twenty thousand strong. On the 3d 
of October, 1862, the Federal defenses were attacked 
and a battle ensued, which lasted for two days. With 
the first sounds of strife, the ministers of mercy at 
the Academy Hospital were prepared to receive the 
wounded, and so carefully arranged were the duties 
assigned to each that their humane work could be 
performed with astonishing dispatch. Their power to 
benefit the injured was increased almost twofold 
Mrs. Bickerdyke had done her work so thoroughly 
that she found more frequent opportunities to follow 
the progress of the battle here than at any place 
during her previous experience. She said, "From 
where I stood I could see the 6th Wisconsin, the 



62 Mother Bickerdyke. 

Chicago Light Infantry, and all the big siege guns. 
In quick succession flashed from their black mouths 
broad sheets of flame and smoke which obscured the 
view, while the air seemed to quake with the rolling 
peal that followed. Then the smoke, rising, revealed 
the artillerymen preparing with rapid motions an- 
other charge. The infantry were all a mass of lines 
and groups, some hurrying, and some standing in 
obedience to orders, while the smoke veiled them 
here and there; and between the roar of the cannonad- 
ing, their ringing cheers and shouts could be heard 
with the sharp rattle of musketry." 

"The orders to the Board of Trade Regiment, ad- 
vancing into the hottest of the strife, were, ' Take 
aim,' 'Shoot well,' 'Go out double quick.' As they 
obeyed with steadfast courage, a blinding volley ( f 
musketry was poured upon them, and men fell, killctl 
and wounded, in all directions; then a purple cloud 
of smoke hid the startling scene. Just before engag- 
ing in the conflict, these valiant soldiers had marched 
twenty-four miles. They went in twelve hundred 
strong, and came out four hundred. It was their first 
engagement, and to most of them, their last; but they 
obeyed orders, and fell upon the field to fill soldiers' 
graves; and so fulfilled the glorious mission of the 
true patriot." 

All the afternoon the battle raged fiercer and fiercer. 
Constantly recruits were brought up to take the 
places of those who had fallen, and the air reverber- 
ated with one continuous roar. Toward evening 
when the sun shone red, and with slanting beams, 



^v«NN&\Vv\\^^9»Ki;i^«(i$!!StSISSS!S9■ 



Watching the Battle. 63 

through the powder smoke^ a brigade was hurrying 
past, and Mrs. Bickerdyke heard that they had been 
marching with all possible haste since noon. They 
were covered with dust, and their youthful faces wore 
a haggard expression from the heat and toil of travel. 
She knew that they were about to join the conflict, 
hungry and tired, and was determined that they should 
have something to eat before going further. The offi- 
cer in command was asked to allow them to rest for 
a few moments, but ne refused. Still the men heard a 
strong voice call, "Halt" as they were passing the 
Academy Hospital. The welcome order thrilled 
through the ranks, and made the long line stop be- 
fore any one could consider by whom the command 
had been given; it would have been almost irresist- 
ible under the circumstances if they had known, be- 
cause nature appealed so strongly 'in behalf of the 
measure. With all possible dispatch, each man was 
given a bowl of soup or coffee. While they were 
drinking, their canteens were filled with water, and a 
loaf of bread was supplied to each. Then came the 
order, " Forward march," and again the brigade was 
in motion. Their steps were lighter, and their faces 
were brightened. Only a few minutes had been lost, 
and these were of no importance in comparison to 
the added courage and spirit which they immediately 
manifested in consequence of this much-needed re- 
freshment. For several hours they had been march- 
ing, and it was then five o'clock. If they had not 
stopped, they could have had no food until after mid- 
night, when the tide of war turned in favor of the 



64 Mother Bickerdyke. 

Federals. It was Mrs. Bickerdyke who had cried 
halt, and had given the soldiers food and drink. The 
story of this heroic act gained favor among them, 
and from that time after they called her the "Gen- 
eral." Her interference in their behalf was more 
deeply appreciated because many of the men died 
of hunger, thirst, and fatigue during that hard-fought 
battle. 

In the early part of the first night the Confeder- 
ate artillery began to shower missiles of destruction 
almost into the very heart of Corinth. The great 
shells exploded in the streets, and some fell so near 
the Academy Hospital that it became necessary for 
its occupants to move to different quarters. This was 
a difficult task, and yet, however hazardous it might 
prove, it had to be done. The surgeons and nurses 
with their attendants went about the work coura- 
geously. Ambulances conveyed the wounded men to 
a sheltered valley, called Kincaid's Grove. Here a 
field hospital was arranged, and most of the eighteen 
hundred men who were brought here found them- 
selves safely and comfortably situated. Few were in 
any way neglected during the accomplishment of 
this difficult task, and yet there was something left 
for the faithful and watchful care of Mrs. Bickerdykes 
While the hurried work of pitching the tents and pre- 
paring the cots was going on, a young musician, who 
had been wounded in the morning, was placed with 
others upon the ground, until more suitable quarter 
could be made ready. By some means he was over- 
looked when the others were taken away. Being too 



Kincaid's Grove. 65 

weak to make himself heard when he called for atten- 
tion, he must have remained there the rest of the 
night if Mrs. Bickerdyke had not made a final round 
of inspection with her lantern and discovered him- 
"Oh, Mother Bickerdyke!" he exclaimed, in a voice 
like that of a frightened child, "I am so glad you 
found me, for it is awfully lonesome here." 

The morning stars twinkled over this sequestered 
valley, where the white tents among the pine and 
hemlock trees were secure from danger, although 
shells and balls were flying above them. These me- 
teor-like missiles fell harmlessly far beyond their re- 
treat. They all remained in Kincaid's Grove until 
the battle was ended; but before that time their 
numbers had been greatly increased by the addition 
of wounded soldiers from the field, and when the 
Confederate army beat their retreat, they were obliged 
to leave many of their sick and wounded men to the 
benevolent care of the victorious Federals. 

Soon the Academy Hospital re eived again those 
who had been taken out of it that perilous night, 
and besides, others who claimed its shelter, until every 
cot was full. Large numbers still remained unpro- 
vi(3ed for, and these were placed in tents pitched 
upon the broad lawns about the building. Here and 
there, all over the slopes which were now withering 
from neglect, could be seen the furrows that had been 
plowed by balls and shells, as they sped on their 
courses of destruction. Surgeons and nurses found 
their duties increased until it was impossible to add 
anything more. Every hour of the day and night 
5 



66 Mother Bickerdyke. 

found tireless feet hurrying upon kindly errands, and 
yet there prevailed the discomfort due to insufficient 
help and room. In the tents upon the lawns the pa- 
tients were cared for by men employed as nurses, and 
besides their necessary ministrations, which were per- 
formed hurriedly, no other attention was paid to 
them except the visits from the doctors. 

A young soldier, William Spinning, who belonged 
to the 1st Kansas Cavalry, was placed in a tent 
with nearly one hundred others who were sick with 
fever. He had always known the comforts of a home, 
and the loving care of a mother, in the sickness or 
trials which heretofore had fallen to his lot. Besides, 
he was of a refined and studious disposition, which 
made his sufferings under the present circumstances 
more difficult to endure. For weeks he lay upon his 
narrow cot, languishing in pain, and strove to main- 
tain the courage of a true soldier. He was young 
and ambitious, and the spirit of youth, which touches 
with prismatic colors all future prospects, kept him 
hopeful until his form was wasted, and his strength 
was almost gone. The step of the attendant sounded 
heavily upon the beaten earth that, alone, composed 
the floor of the tent, as he came through the en- 
trance at one end. He paused to pour castor oil 
from a large bottle into an iron spoon, and then 
gave it to the occupant of the nearest cot. Proceed- 
ing to the second, he gave him a similar dose, and 
so on until he reached the last one in the row, after 
which he returned along the opposite side. How 
sickening it was to swallow the distasteful medicine 



A Woman's Voice. 67 

from such a spoon, and after so many fever-parched 
Hps had touched it! Is it any wonder that so many 
of the men died there ? The poor fellow to the right, 
so near William Spinning's cot that he had often 
reached over the intervening space to help arrange 
the coverlids, expired one night; and before dawn the 
bed had been prepared for another, who was placed 
in it. These trying scenes at last made the young 
cavalryman succumb to despondency, and to lose all 
desire to live. When the man at his left hand died, 
he thought, " I will be the next one taken out, as 
wasted and ghastly as he is now." He refused 
to swallow the sickening dose of oil when it was 
offered, but the attendant forced it down his throat, 
and went on. 

One morning he heard a woman's voice, a ringing, 
cheerful voice it was, and the sound so unfamiliar 
aroused his attention. Turning feebly in his cot he 
saw the figure of a woman standing in the door of 
the tent, against the background of sunlight. Soon 
she came in, making inquiries of the attendant as to 
the condition of the patients under his charge, and 
also asking them, as she passed along, how they were, 
and what was given to them. Every face wore a 
brightened expression as she proceeded, and she took 
such a motherly interest in them that each one 
seemed to feel as though some dear friend or rela- 
tive was visiting him. William Spinning had been 
anxious to see her when she first entered, and this 
slight excitement heightened his fever spell so that 
when she reached him his thin cheek, mantled 



68 Mother Bickeri>yke. 

with a hectic flush, was glowing like red coral, 
and his large, dark eyes glistened with a feverish 
light. His hair was matted and damp, and the veins 
in his temples throbbed visibly. Mrs. Bickerdyke 
understood his conditi;)n at a glance, and, clasping 
his hot hand, exclaimed, " My poor boy, I am going 
to do something for you myself." 

" Hand me the bay rum," she demanded of a nurse, 
and, seating herself upon the cot, she took his head 
in her lap and bathed it tenderly with the fragrant 
spirits from the decanter. While she was doing this, 
she talked to him in low, cheerful tones about his fut- 
ure prospects, and told him that it was his duty to 
live, if only for the sake of those who cared so much 
for him at home. " They long to see you back 
again, well and strong. Indeed, you know just 
how glad they would be to welcome you; so, my 
brave lad, pluck up courage and get out of this dull 
tent into the field again. The old flag needs you, 
and we all need the aid of your strong arms," she 
concluded, still smoothing his brow with her cool 
hands. Tears shone in his eyes while he listened; and 
his whole frame seemed infused with new life and 
hope as she made him realize that he had a work to 
do which would be prized by both his kindred and 
his country. In this way she re-awakened his desire 
to live, and revived the ambition that had smoldered 
almost into ashes. Before she left him his face wore 
a changed expression, and his fever was much sub- 
dued. He expressed his gratitude in touching words, 
and besides, as she went away from the tent, she was 
followed by blessings from every sufferer there. 



W&-l.S«l^<iK\XVC<^N\\\>X\\\\VK<y\\\\\^\V!^^ 



Her Popularity. 69 

For a long time William Spinning lay still, conscious 
only of soothing words and hopeful thoughts, until 
the blessed repose of natural and healthful sleep ban- 
ished, for a time, all consciousness. Long before, he 
had heard of Mother Bickerdyke, as the soldiers were 
apt to call her. Then he was vigorous and full of 
spirits, and his thoughts dwelt upon his uniform and 
lively horse, and upon the active duties which lay be- 
fore him, although the crippled soldier who came to 
the camp-fire with stories of her courage and moth- 
erly care, found in him an interested and sympathetic 
listener. After experiencing the bitterness of pain, 
and the wonderful power to soothe and cheer, which 
Mrs. Bickerdyke possessed, he often said, gratefully, 
" She saved my life, and she has saved numberless 
others when they were just as wretched and hopeless 
as I was then." 

Her name became popular for miles around every 
place that had been blessed with her presence; and, 
mounted upon her white horse, she passed almost 
anywhere within the Federal lines unquestioned; for 
to every one her figure and the nature of her errands 
were familiar. The last time that William Spinning 
saw her during the war, was under memorable cir- 
cumstances. He was recovering slowly from his 
fever when the hospital was moved from Corinthi 
and in the disturbance of this occasion he, among 
others, chanced to be left for a short time in the woods. 
Before the arrival of conveyances to take them away, 
Mrs. Bickerdyke came to them with refreshments and 
medicine. She found the young man whom she had 



70 Mother Bickerdyke. 

helped so graciously in the tent, lying beneath a tree, 
weak 'and languid. The autumn air was sharp, and 
the ground was covered with damp pine needles that 
served him for a bed. " She treated me as she did 
the others," said he, " but she was so kind to us all 
that I never forgot the circumstance." 

In a few moments she had rendered every one there 
more comfortable and cheerful. Probably they all 
remember her as gratefully as Mr. Spinning does, and 
at the mention of her name, recall her pleasant voice 
and motherly care, which proved as refreshing as they 
were unexpected in those lonely woods. She always 
went like some beneficent spirit into the most dismal 
and sequestered nooks. Her noble nature could not 
brook neglect of the obscure and helpless. Such as 
these aroused all of her strongest feelings, and she 
sought them out constantly, as the objects of her 
special attention. An appeal from the weak or young 
was perfectly irresistible to her. Because the officers 
received more pay than the privates, and usually were 
better able to help themselves in times of sickness, 
she devoted herself more particularly to the common 
soldiers. Not the least distinction did she ever make 
between them., on account of their positions in the 
army, when they were under her charge. She 
guarded like a sentinel the sanitary stores, and was 
implacable in her resentment, if she found any of 
them misappropriated. When instances of this kind 
were discovered, she dealt very summarily with the 
offenders, and made such an example of them that 
their selfishness was seldom imitated. Incidents of 



A Trip to Galesburo. 71 

this sort never took her from her post of duty. Usu- 
ally she reported such miscreants directly to head- 
quarters. She had no fear of their enmity, and no 
matter how powerful such persons might be, she never 
overlooked anything from motives of policy. 

For more than a year and a half Mrs. Bickerdyke 
had followed in the footsteps of war along the Mis- 
sissippi and up the Tennessee Rivers, doing work as 
useful as any performed by the men who carried mus- 
kets, before she thought of taking any rest or change. 
Although she was so full of endurance and self-reli- 
ance, her influence was in every way that of a true, 
noble woman, and carried something of the atmos- 
phere of home into the hospital and field. Not for a 
day in all that time had she relaxed her efforts to do 
thoroughly every duty that lay in her path; and by 
reason of her superb strength, both physical and 
mental, she had succeeded woncierfully well. The 
simple, childish letters that had come from her little 
boys, at intervals, were to her a source of pleasure 
and pride. Now she concluded to take a trip back 
to Galesburg for the purpose of seeing them, and of 
obtaining a much-needed rest and change. Besides, 
she desired to know that they were advantageously sit- 
uated. After all those trying and exciting scenes 
through which she had so recently passed, it was a 
delicious sensation to be at home once more, and with 
the children that she so fondly loved. The well- 
known streets, and the dear, familiar faces were wel- 
comed again with feelings which must have been like 
those of a soldier on his return home, after having 



72 Mother Bickerdyke. 

escaped the perils of disease and warfare. By the 
bright, crackling blaze in the fire-place, she told to in- 
terested listeners the tales of army life, that are so 
thrilling when they are gleaned from experience. 
The snow-flakes whirled gleefully about the eaves, as 
if wild with delight. They made the summer and 
autumn retreat farther and farther southward, until the 
whole plains were white with their uniforms. Re- 
ceiving people who came to make inquiries about 
their absent dear ones, was here one of Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke's daily occupations. In her active life, she had 
met not a few of them, and whether her news was 
such as to give pleasure or pain, she was always kind 
and .sympathetic. She had to deliver many of those 
messages and tokens, sent by soldiers, who had died, 
to their friends. Such remembrances always cause 
heartaches, even if they are a melancholy solace to 
those who receive them. Protected by thick wraps> 
Mrs. Bickerdyke made her way over the snowy walks 
to many a dwelling, where she knew her errand would 
make tears flow; yet even from such duties as these 
she never shrank, but went to those who were mourn- 
ing at the hearth-side as readily as to the field. Here, 
too, her courage and tenderness were just as welcome. 
She said that she was always lucky in finding these 
places. It is not remarkable that she seemed fortu- 
nate in this respect, because she held such missions 
sacred, and bent all of her powerful energies to fulfill 
them to her own satisfaction. She would clasp her 
arms about some sobbing woman, and, holding before 
her tearful eyes the little picture, or other token, tell 



Holiday Gifts. 73 

her how her soldier boy, or husband, or lover died 
bravely and willingly for the glorious old flag. Re- 
calling their parting, when feelings of patriotism rose 
high, she repeated the last words with which she was 
intrusted, and which always glowed with love for the 
dear ones at home and for the land. 

Besides, she was self-commissioned with pleasanter 
work, which was also more suited to her lively dispo- 
sition. She had been to the front, and knew what 
gifts were of the most benefit to the brave men there. 
Committees from aid societies, and wives and daugh- 
ters of the soldiers came flocking to her for the pur- 
pose of learning what she could tell so well concern- 
ing these things Her resolve was to do all that she 
could to encourage and stimulate them to exertions 
which she knew were truly charitable as well as pa- 
triotic. In this her usual good fortune attended her, 
and Galesburg was enlivened by many successful so- 
ciables and fairs held for the purpose of collecting 
money and all kinds of useful articles to be sent to 
the Sanitary Commission at Chicago. 

Advantage was taken of the holidays, which arc 
always observed with festivities, to secure gifts for the 
soldiers. This proved no difficult task, as so many 
families missed from their circles a member who had 
joined the volunteers, and thoughts of the war were 
constantly with them. Patriotic expressions appeared 
in every feature of social life and religious worship. 
Even the children awoke Christmas morning to find 
gifts of toy drums and swords, or whole regiments of 
wooden soldiers. The clatter of their mimic arms 



74 Mother Bickerdyke. 

blended with the peaHng of bells that proclaimed as 
usual from the church towers, " Peace on earth and 
good-will toward men." 

The parlors of the quaint little church, which Mrs. 
Bickerdyke attended in Galesburg, were the scene of 
many entertainments given to benefit the soldiers. 

See yonder a bevy of girls filling a box with all 
sorts of useful things for them. One of the merriest 
contributes a bundle of socks, with an audacious little 
note pinned into a toe of each pair. Another, scarcely 
more serious, excuses the needle-work upon a couple 
of shirts which she has made, by saying that she can 
make better bread than button-holes, and asking the 
soldier who may chance to wear the shirts to come 
and see for himself, when the war is over, if he is not 
so fortunate as to have a wife. Tliey chatter among 
themselves, as girls always do when together, and 
little speeches, half vv^itty or comical, and half in 
earnest, flow uninterrupted by their occupition. 

" We put up a lot of chickens to send," remarked 
one, " but Mother Bickerdyke says they are better kept 
at home, because such things are likely to spoil on 
the way." " But here are a lot of dried plums to 
make sauce of, and a pair of slippers." Perhaps 
upon something packed away by this merry group, 
tears had fallen from the loveliest eyes, as it was be- 
ing finished at some lonely evening hour. What heart- 
aches inany of them endured, because of the absent 
ones who were so fondly loved. 

It was Mrs. liickerdyke's privilege to distribute 
the contents of countless boxes sent by such girls as 



Midnight. 75 

these to the Sanitary Commission, and from thence to 
the hospitals. She witnessed occurrences of the 
most pathetic nature, as well as scenes of merriment, 
and romantic incidents occasioned by their random 
gifts and missives. 

Midwinter reigned over the whitened earth, and the 
air was sharp with cold. Those dauntless little con- 
querors, the snow-flakes, gained supremacy over the 
weather, but they had no power to stay the march of 
war. During all of these inclement months the 
soldiers never relaxed the struggle for victory. The 
holidays had not found the larger portion of the 
Union forces snugly settled in winter quarters, and 
enjoying impromptu feasts around the roaring camp- 
fires, as they had last year. Then, when not on duty, 
their time had been spent in pleasant occupations. 
To them the huts and tents had quite a homelike air, 
after they had been occupied for a few weeks. About 
the walls upon pegs hung their muskets and other 
equipments, and empty boxes and barrels as well as 
roughly hewn logs, formed their furniture. Some 
spent the days and long evenings carving in wood, 
while others played cards or chess. The musicians, 
too, contributed a good share to their simple enjoy- 
ments, and many a lively tune and merry song cheered 
the winter days. 

But now, instead of all these comforts and amuse- 
ments, they were ordered upon long marches over 
muddy roads, and through marshy swamps. Often 
the rain poured upon them all day, and at night they 
slept in their wet garments, sheltered only by tents 



76 Mother Bickerdyke. 

pitched upon the storm-beaten earth. The exposure, 
and scanty rations meted out to them, made sickness 
and death their constant companions. News of these 
sufferings reached their friends and kindred in the 
North, and filled them with gloom. Owing to the 
storms and the rapid movements of the several com- 
mands, it was very difficult to effect communication 
between them and those who were anxious to give 
them aid. Nurses and surgeons went South con- 
stantly to the hospitals, and many anxious wives and 
mothers would have been glad to go if it had been 
possible. Home, which is the most delightful of all 
places the earth contains, is rendered incomparably 
dismal when bereft of those who give to it the charm 
that makes it seem enchanted. 

Countless numbers of the soldiers broke this spell 
of happiness when they went to the war; and now 
that they needed the love and care which they had 
left, every patriotic heart yearned to supply their 
wants. Mrs. Bickerdyke, with her rich experience 
and fine capabilities, hastened to those scenes where 
she could be of such benefit to her people and her 
country. 



Gl2«s^E¥BR I^. 



Memphis — Immense Laundries — "The Boys Who Follow the 
Flag"— Frightful Sufferings at Fort Pickering — The 
Gayoso Block Hospital — Officers and Soldiers — The 
" Cow and Hen Mission " — A Soldier's Wedding — Vicks- 
BURG — Hospital Tents — Little Treasures — The Fall of 
Vicksburg — An Amusing Incident — Preparing for the 
Autumn Campaign. 




'URING the war Memphis was selected 
as a center for military headquarters 
and hospitals. The grand Mississippi, 
that wound along its outskirts, afforded 
a direct highway northward, where the 
people were anxious to aid and encour- 
age the army by all means in their 
power; and from Memphis it flowed 
into the very battle-fields. Steamers 
came puffing down upon its turbid waters, loaded with 
recruits, and all manner of stores; and they bore up 
from the South thousands of sick and wounded sol- 
diers, who had become disabled amid the scenes of 
suffering and carnage at the front of war. Tents 
clustered about the suburbs of the town among man- 

{77) 



78 Mother Bickerdyke.- 

sions from which the owners had sent their famiHes 
into distant cities, and joined either the Federal or 
Confederate forces. Men in uniform were seen upon 
the emerald lawns, instead of merry children and fair 
women. No sounds came echoing among the lofty- 
trees from the school bells and church bells, for the 
teachers of science and religion had gone to labor in 
less peaceful scenes. In the city, stores and ware- 
houses were no longer filled with the noise and hum 
of business; but instead, the haunts of traffic were 
appropriated for barracks and hospitals, and daily 
the streets were filled with the sounds of marching 
feet and martial music. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke arrived here early in January, 
1863. The incessant storms gave everything a chill 
and drenched appearance, while the work for such as 
she was overwhelming both in amount and in its 
nature; and yet the dismal skies and heavy tasks had 
no power to affect her courage and sunny disposition- 
She b?gan the first work that was offered to her with 
resolution. This was the preparation of the Adams' 
Block Hospital, which occupied a whole square of 
new brick buildings designed for stores. In this her 
assistance was of much value. Nine hundred cots 
were placed in rows about the lofty chambers, and 
made comfortable, as well as pleasing in appearance, 
by their snow-white pillovv^s and counterpanes. These 
were for the soldiers wounded in the recent battles, 
and who were expected as soon as they could be 
moved from the field hospitals and barges where they 
had been placed immediately after being hurt. Ac- 



Memphis. 79 

commodations were arranged for six thousand men; 
and besides, there were a number of hospitals already- 
established in Memphis. The medical director and 
the medical inspector authorized Mrs. Bickerdyke to 
visit many of the latter and improve them, as they 
were not in as good a condition as they should have 
been. Her influence in these places was shown par- 
ticularly by their extra cleanliness in all respects. 
Immense supplies of linen were needed for the dis- 
abled soldiers, and she went energetically to work, 
establishing a laundry large enough to meet the de- 
mand. She did this, besides attending faithfully to 
the duties which she had previously assumed. The 
wholesome effect of fresh linen she estimated at its 
full value. By means of her own exertions and in- 
fluence, she made it possible for every hospital in 
Memphis to enjoy an unlimited supply of clean cloth- 
ing and bedding, which were as important as care 
and medicine, to promote comfort and the return of 
health. 

Day after day, Mrs. Bickerdyke was occupied with 
these humane pursuits, going and coming always 
with a firm step and cheerful face. The storms of 
that remarkable winter kept the heavens overcast 
with rain clouds, and swelled the volum i of the great 
Mississippi far beyond its banks. The Union forces, 
unwilling to relinquish an inch of the territory that 
they had so dearly won, steadfastly held their ground, 
or kept pushing southward amid dismal swamps and 
marshes, where the air was humid with malaria; and 
hunger and cold pursued them like wolves. With 



80 Mother Bickerdyke. 

valiant hearts they pressed on, having but a single 
goal in view, and that the crown of victory. Their 
patriotism scorned the fury of the tempest and the 
power of even the most insufferable privations, as 
well as the Confederate shot and shell. These hard- 
ships were endured with such fortitude as to prove 
every soldier a hero. The tattered uniform and the 
wasted cheek may call for pity, but the ringing voice 
and kindling glance reveal the will and valor that rise 
supreme above every trial of war, and compel the 
homage due to the conqueror. 

Though their physical strength gave way under 
these circumstances, their spirits were unsubdued. 
Men constantly fell in the ranks from exhaustion, 
and these were taken northward to Memphis as soon 
as possible. The shrill scream of the hospital fleet 
whistles announced their arrival every day. Mrs. 
Bickerdyke cared for these with more than her usual 
tenderness, because she realized how they had hun- 
gered for a word of sympathy and interest, as well as 
for the necessaries of life. Her manner of express- 
ing the deep feelings which she entertained for them 
was most admirable. It was not natural for her to 
bend over a sufferer's cot with dewy lashes, and 
breathe, in cooing tones, expressions of sorrow for 
his pain, and admiration for his fortitude. Her prac- 
tical disposition made her appreciate more keenly the 
necessities of the present and future, than the trials of 
the past. Cheerful smiles and encouraging words 
made her presence always welcome. Besides, she 
never came but for a purpose, her hands being ever 



Rare Tact. 81 

full of gifts or busy at some task. When she had 
extra or special stores to distribute, her devotion to 
the soldiers made her joy almost equal to their own, 
and she gave them in a most noble and unselfish way. 

" Here is something that the folks at home have 
sent to you," she would say. Then her pleasant 
voice would ring out assuringly, "You need never fear 
that they are forgetting the boys who follow the flag." 
With sentences like these she soon obtained the 
whole story of the soldier's home-life, in the telling 
of which he forgot his own trials, and accepted the 
garment or food which she had brought, feeling as 
though it had come from the loving hands of his 
own wife or mother. Whatever was in her power to 
bestow was given so heartily and cheerfully that it 
always possessed a greater value in the eyes of its re- 
cipient than it would have otherwise. It was true 
maternal sympathy for the soldiers that made her ca- 
pable of touching each one's heart in this remark- 
able way, and made many a manly voice call her 
" mother," in tones as gentle as though he had really 
addressed his own mother. 

Upon the magnolias, great buds began to swell 
and burst their waxen calyxes with rich hues of rose 
color, and the southern pines and cedars flaunted new 
fringes of pale green upon their somber robes. Earth 
was awakening again to the life and beauty of spring- 
time. Sunlight touched with edges of gold the out- 
lines of every spray and flower, and the birds twit- 
tered to each other the secrets of their hidden nests 
and the pearl-like treasures within them. Nature 
6 



82 Mother Bickerdyke. 

seemed trying to make amends for the severity of 
the winter, by lavishing everywhere her rarest charms. 

While sunbeams came through the open window 
with dancing zephyrs, perfumed from the verdant 
hills, it seemed difficult to realize that they lingered 
upon men racked with disease and burning with fe- 
verish pain; that Death, with his hollow eyes and 
emaciated figure, was personified by tortured and 
helpless beings to whom there came no ministering 
hand. Yet Doctor Irvin, the medical director at 
Memphis, went to Mrs. Bickerdyke one morning to 
consult with her about such a scene as this. It was 
the small-pox hospital, called Fort Pickering, which 
had relapsed into so dreadful a condition that no 
help could be obtained for the purpose of renovating 
it. "Nine men lie within its walls awaiting burial, 
and more are dying," he concluded. 

When Mrs. Bickerdyke volunteered to go herself, 
the doctor was startled by her intrepidity. He ob- 
jected, also, because of her great usefulness where she 
then was, and said that she could not be spared from 
her present duties. However, her noble soul was en- 
lidcst in the cause of their release from so terrible a 
situation, and she could not be dissuaded from her 
purpose. What unprecedented courage must have 
been exercised to make a woman willing to under- 
take so revolting a task! The place was the abode 
of an infectious disease that had almost turned it 
into a charnel-house, and the very air within its walls 
was poison. Her heroic conduct on this occasion 
proved her to be perfectly fearless, and oblivious to 



Fort Pickering. 83 

those natural desires which make personal ease and 
luxury so ardently sought. She realized only that 
her country's sons were dying for want of care, and 
she turned to them with the unfailing devotion of a 
true mother, that has scarcely a parallel. Indeed, 
the strength and wisdom which her success here 
proved her to possess beyond question, excite scarcely 
less admiration than her unbounded charity. 

All ordinary methods of cleansing and renovating 
a hospital were in vain here. The place had to be 
reorganized in almost every respect. The taint and 
venom of all foulness that had found a lodgmentin those 
dingy wards, where sounded the groans of pain and 
despair, fled before her presence as the vampire takes 
flight at the approach of dawn. Within a few days 
after she entered, this place could scarcely be recog- 
nized as the one put under her charge. A clean and 
airy appearance soon distinguished all of the apart- 
ments. In them suitable and appetizing food was 
served, while method and order were apparent in every 
detail of the arrangements and work of the entire 
place. The blessings of temporal comforts, and 
woman's gentle services, were to those sufferers what 
food is to the famishing. Mrs. Bickerdyke's willing 
hands brought to them the elixir of life, and to each 
one the precious nectar was given without stint or 
measure. 

Heaven spared the soldiers' mother, and she came 
from those shunned hospital doors, strong and un- 
contaminatcd by the dreadful contagion which she 
had banished. No scars marred her benign counte- 



84 Mother Bickerdyke. 

nance, to remind those who looked upon it of her 
faithful love and dauntless couracre. After having 
endured the hardships and shared the exile of those 
forsaken sufferers, she was wholly free again to enjoy 
the pursuit of her benevolent work. As she resumed 
her former active occupations, how pleasant must 
have appeared the quiet mansions surrounded by 
their green lawns, the bright flower plots, abcive which 
bloomed the queenly magnolias, and even the rest- 
less throngs of life that poured in and out of the city. 

Her hazardoustask being accomplished, she immedi- 
ately assumed the position of matron in the Gayoso 
Block Hospital. About six hundred men, who had 
been wounded at Arkansas Post, were placed in the 
wards here; and they were fortunate, because Mrs. 
Bickerdyke made this the most home-like and 
comfortable place that they could have occupied in 
Memphis. It also had the advantage of being fur- 
nished with all of the appliances which shmild be 
found in such an institution. A short season of 
peace and order characterized the time which was 
spent here. Though men arrived each day to fill the 
vacant cots, until over one thousand had assembled 
under the roof of this hospital, everything was done 
in the most approved way, and many a patient ac- 
knowledged his appreciation of his good fortune by 
saying that even in his own home he would not have 
been cared for more tenderly or efficiently. 

This orderly and well-kept place was no more bar- 
ren of incidents than were the field hospitals. Some- 
times a woman made her appearance inquiring for 



Gayoso Block Hospital. 85 

her wounded son or husband, and she generally re- 
mained until the soldier whom she came to benefit 
could be sent home with her. These women always 
remembered Mrs. Bickerdyke with grateful hearts, 
and pressed upon her invitations to visit their homes, 
besides showing other marks of gratitude. A mother 
kneeling by the cot of her son, who was scarcely 
more than a boy, being only seventeen years old, said, 
with tears in her eyes, " It is no wonder that you are 
called mother here, for you treat these men every 
one with so much kindness and patience. I owe to 
you the preservation of my darling's life. Oh! it 
would have broken my heart if I had found him 
dead." With the thought she burst into a passion of 
sobs, and buried her face in the white pillow, upon 
which her son's head lay. He smoothed her silver 
hair gently with his one hand, for he had lost the 
other, and consoled her with words of filial affection- 
Scenes of this kind were frequent, and yet they 
always filled Mrs. Bickerdyke with feelings for which 
she could find no expression. 

Her services were devoted especially to the private 
soldiers. Officers who chanced to need them, were 
never distinguished by extra attentions on account of 
their positions. She quaintly describes her own con- 
duct in this respect, by remarking, "I always treated 
an officer as well as a private, and if he put on airs, 
it did not make any difference either. He was served 
in turn with the others, just like any soldier." She 
sometimes met with opposition from the officers whose 
duties were connected with the hospitals. The prin- 



86 ■ Mother Bickerdyke. 

cipal reasons for this were, her dislike of the formality 
and restraint which they often considered necessary 
to military discipline, and her habit of criticising their 
actions, if they did not reach the standard of her ap- 
proval. To all who were in any way dishonest, or 
incompetent to fill their positions, she was the neme- 
sis who pursued them relentlessly. Her object was 
to benefit the soldiers, and she would not countenance 
for a moment anything to their disadvantage. Fre- 
quently those who disliked her at first, being preju- 
diced by her independent and confident bearing, be- 
came, on further acquaintance, her most sincere 
friends, appreciating keenly her efficiency and impor- 
tance in the work that was of mutual interest. 

Col. W. W. Jackson, of General Hurlburt's staff, 
relates an incident that illustrates the confidence that 
was placed in her judgment by those in authority. 
Several hundred negroes were employed to labor in 
the hospitals. These were runaway slaves from the 
southern plantations, who had gathered at Memphis 
in large numbers. For the most part they were poor 
creatures, half-clad and half-starved, having been sev- 
eral weeks in the swamps and waste lands, while elud- 
ing their pursuers. Some were bright, well-trained 
fellows, possessing enough energy to make themselves 
useful to the people to whom they had fled for pro- 
tection; and many of them rendered valuable services 
in the hospitals and laundries. One of the surgeons 
of the regular army, ordered all of these colored em- 
ployes to be discharged; at the same time directing 
that their duties should be performed by convalescents. 



Protecting the Convalescents. 87 

This course provoked a remonstrance from Mrs. Bick- 
erJyke, whose sympathies were thoroughly interested 
in behalf of the soldiers. She could not endure to 
see those who had just risen from beds of suffering, 
many of them having narrowly escaped death, en- 
gaged in work that required not only much physical 
strength, but also nervous force and endurance. 
These men were emaciated, and weak from pain. 
Many of them were so anxious to rejoin their regi- 
ments that everything which delayed the return of 
health was doubly hard to bear, since the enthusiastic 
spirit, as well as the enfeebled frame, was tortured. 
When Mrs. Bickerdyke heard that men like these 
were ordered to perform such hard and wearing labor, 
a host of their pale faces rose before her imagination, 
impelling her to do something to prevent such a 
calamity from falling upon them; and her generous 
impulse brooked no delay. 

This occurred late in the evening. The rain was 
pouring outside and the streets were covered with 
mud, and only half illuminated by the flickering lights 
that seemed to be blinking through their spattered 
and dripping glasses. Mrs. Bickerdyke looked out 
upon this forbidding scene, yet it did not cause her to 
hesitate. 

She ordered a conveyance, and was soon at head- 
quarters, where General Hurlburt, who was in com- 
mand at Memphis, received her cordially, and gave 
her a written authorization to retain the services 
of the negroes, who were employed in the hospitals; 
and directing the surgeons to do all in their power to 
carry out her wishes. 



88 MOTHKR BiCKF.RDVKE. 

Those officers, who were notably considerate of 
their men, awakened enthusiastic admiration in Mrs. 
Bickerdyke. "They were grand," she once exclaimed. 
" Usually they shared all the privations of the sol- 
diers, and I have seen them as hungry and dusty and 
tired as any private in the ranks. One evening I 
offered a colonel a delicious cup of tea, when he was 
almost overcome with fatigue. He waved it away 
and, pointing to a cot near by, said ' Give it to the 
lad. He needs it more.' The young man designated 
had been suffering for a long time, and his extreme 
thinness and pallor must have attracted the colonel's 
notice." 

The higher officers, who had an opportunity to ob- 
serve her work and become acquainted with her, al- 
ways appreciated thoroughly the great services she 
rendered the army. Generals Grant, Sherman, and 
Logan were impressed with her admirable character, 
and showed their confidence by allowing great latitude 
in the pursuit of her labors for the soldiers. 

While the military movements in the vicinity of 
Vicksburg were taking place, men arrived constantly 
at Memphis from those scenes, disabled from expos- 
ure and hardships, or from wounds received in the 
various engagements with the Confederates. The 
rivers and bayous were swollen so much that the 
swamp lands, through which the soldiers marched, 
were often submerged to a depth of several feet. 
The Federals suffered many hardships in their at- 
tempts to reach a point from which Vicksburg could 
be attacked advantageously. Even General Sherman 



The Cow and Hen Mission. 89 

led his men on foot through dense cane brakes in the 
darkness of night, with only the flickering rays of 
candles to guide them. 

The commodious hospitals in Memphis had not 
been prepared in vain, for about eleven thousand sol- 
diers were provided for within them. Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke visited the different institutions frequently, be- 
sides performing her duties as matron of the Gayoso 
Hospital. Her experience as a housewife had made 
her familiar with the principles of economy, and here 
she was always planning to give the patients more and 
better food and care with the means at hand, than 
were already provided. Fresh milk and eggs were 
supplied in scant quantities, and were poor in quality. 
Besides, the prices were extremely high. She declared 
that it was perfect nonsense to give forty cents a 
quart for milk that resembled chalk and water. This 
was a source of annoyance common to all, and she 
determined to find a remedy for the evil, as such food 
was very important in the diet of the sick. The 
project formed in her active mind was considered 
impracticable — even visionary at first; but her judg- 
ment was not at fault, and her forcible arguments 
soon overcame all opposition. Sanction to carry out 
her plans was gained from the proper authorities, and 
so, just as spring was merging into summer, she 
started North upon her famous "cow and hen mis- 
sion." Her object was to obtain one hundred cows 
and one thousand hens to supply the hospitals with 
an abundance of fresh milk and eggs at a small cost. 
They were to be cared for by freed men upon an island 



90 Mother Bickerdyke. 

in the Mississippi, near Memphis. The i^enerous char- 
acter of the Northwestern farmers she knew well, and 
could safely rely upon them for assistance. Even the 
first stage of this mission was distinguished. More 
than one hundred crippled soldiers accompanied her 
as far as St. Louis. There was not one of these poor, 
maimed fellows who did not leave her with a bless- 
ing, when she saw them safely into a hospital of that 
city. While she was standing among them, they 
made a striking group — one that might serve as a 
model for Liberty caring for the sons who had suf- 
fered in her cause. 

As soon as Mrs. Bickerdyke made her plan known 
in Jacksonville, Illinois, one of the wealthy farmers 
there, Mr. Strawn, aided by a few of his neighbors, gave 
her the hundred cows she desired; and as she pro- 
ceeded further, chickens seemed to spring up in her 
path. Her arrival at Milwaukee was heralded by the 
lowing of cows, and the cackling of hens; and when 
she reached Springfield the same welcome sounds 
greeted her. This was one of the most peculiar of 
her varied experiences. It savors of the fantastic 
stories told in fairy books. Little girls with dimpled 
cheeks and shy, bright eyes, came to her with plump 
hens, scolding and clucking in their arms; and old 
women brought like treasures in their baskets. Then 
a farmer would come leading by the horns a cow and 
say that for the sake of a son or a brother " down 
there a fighting the gray coats," he would send her 
along too. Her sleek sides were softly patted in a 
sort of farewell, w^hile she instinctively lowed to a 
little calf in some neighboring barn. 



A Visit to Mrs. Livermore. 91 

Mrs. Bickerdyke visited Chicago, where she was 
entertained by Mrs. Livermore, another lady cele- 
brated for her earnest labors in behalf of the soldiers 
during the war. It was a Sabbath afternoon, and 
the sun hung low when the guest arrived and was 
welcomed to her quiet home. Here the family were 
preparing to attend the marriage of some neighbor- 
ing friends, and, although Mrs. Bickerdyke had taken 
no rest since her arrival in the city, she preferred to 
join them rather than to retire. The clear bells that 
pealed in the twilight from numerous church towers, 
served as the wedding bells; and the ceremony was 
a quiet one performed in the bride's own home. 
To the surprise of Mrs. Bickerdyke, a young officer 
in his handsome uniform took the bridegroom's place 
beside the white-robed girl, and after he had intro- 
duced her as his wife to Mrs. Bickerdyke, he surprised 
her still more by saying that they had previously 
met at Fort Donelson. Then he reminded her of an 
officer there, who had been wounded by a mini^-ball, 
appealing in vain to a surgeon to save his leg, until she 
interfered in his behalf. She persuaded the surgeon 
to leave him until the next day, when it was found 
that he could recover without undergoing the painful 
loss. " I never can express my gratitude," he con- 
cluded, " for you saved me from being so terribly 
maimed, and I do indeed feel that you have been to 
me a second mother." 

While upon this tour, her pleasing appearance and 
cordial manners, and the unique character of her 
mission, impressed the people whom she visited agree- 



92 Mother Bickerdyke. 

ably. They made many attempts to show her public 
attentions, but she modestly shrank from such dem- 
onstrations of personal favor. Still she gained the 
good-will of all when she expressed with the force 
and simplicity of truth her appreciation of their 
kindness to her and to those whom she sought to aid. 

The heat of early summer was ripening the corn 
on the outlying plantations about Memphis, and 
making the roads deep with dust, as she again re- 
turned to her duties there., Below, along the banks 
of the Mississippi, this hot, unhealthful season had 
no power to impede the progress of war; and the 
roar of artillery sometimes seemed to mock the 
crashing peals of the thunder-storms. All the rivers 
and bayous were low, and the swamps exhaled the 
rank and poisonous odors of the rich semi-tropical 
vegetation half sweltered in the heat. The army 
was engaged in the long, exciting siege of Vicksburg 
that. kept the spirits of the soldiers high with hope, 
and encouraged them to make every effort in their 
power to achieve the object of the campaign. Such 
(. xertions in the blazing heat of the Southern climate, 
made large numbers sick with fever. The assaults 
upon the impregnable stronghold, that took place in 
June, caused many of the brave fellows, who toiled 
up the bluffs of Vicksburg, to fall bleeding upon the 
parched earth. 

New clusters of white tents sprang up among the 
groves in the vicinity. They were for the sick and 
wounded men, who were forced by their inability to 
be moved, to lie in these frail shelters, and listen to 



ViCKSBURG. 93 

the screaming of shells and the sharp rattle of mus- 
ketry, that sounded from the direction of the belea- 
guered city; and nearer, the rumble of teams and the 
hoarse shouts of the drivers were heard at intervals- 
A moment of silence was intensified by the murmur 
of the green and balsam-scented pines, which only 
half shut out the burning sunbeams. Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke was needed here much more than in Memphis, 
and she was soon among the sufferers, bringing wel- 
come supplies and comfort with her. Lemons and 
ice she mixed into draughts, which tasted like nectar 
to the lips of thirsty men who lay prostrated by fever. 
They had been longing for pure water, in the place 
of which, that dipped from the warm and murky cur- 
rents of the river was offered to them. 

Often in the sultry summer nights, when the stars 
twinkled feebly through the humid atmosphere, Mrs. 
Bickerdyke went from tent to tent, with a great, brown 
pitcher of cold and sparkling lemonade, refreshing 
each soldier with an overflowing cupful. Now and 
then a lizard or a serpent would glide across her path, 
and owls hooted from the dense pines and cypress 
trees in the darkness beyond; but to these she never 
gave a thought. Perhaps she noticed the shells that 
frequently described their fiery flight across the dark 
skies, sent from the Union mortars over the defenses 
of Vicksburg; still the feeble rays of the candles in 
the tents interested her more. They were the beacons 
to guide her to her posts of duty. Insects flew hum- 
ming through the shadows, to scorch their glittering 
wings in those red lights, While others more vicious 



94 Mother Bickerdyke. 

circled above the cots seeking their prey. Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke's vvilHng hands found little rest. Her tender 
heart was wrung by the pitiful appeals of the dying, 
calling upon her in the delirium of fever for their ab- 
sent friends; or giving in high, excited voices the 
cheers of victory, or the groans of the wounded. 
Yet her strong nerves were proof against even long- 
continued scenes like these. She awoke early in the 
golden summer dawns, and brushed the dew from her 
path as she began the labors of another day. With 
clear eyes she looked upon her duties, and her voice 
was strong and cheerful when she spoke to the suffer- 
ing men, who always welcomed her so gladly. Hope 
and comfort took possession of every tent she entered, 
and amid these trying circumstances she was the 
same energetic and practical woman, whom the sol- 
diers had honored with the title of " General," at Cor- 
inth. Here, also, she displayed the same interest in 
every one that had made her so popular there. One 
day she rode from the river in an ambulance loaded 
with sanitary stores for the hospital. After every- 
thing had been taken out of the vehicle, the driver 
was about to start away, when she said, " Wait a mo- 
ment, Mr. Lillibridge, I have something for you." 

The young soldier was pleased at hearing himself so 
pleasantly addressed, and thought that she must be a 
witch to divine his name. He was almost convinced, 
when she handed him a large package which proved 
to be composed of fresh and rare eatables, that served 
as an uncommon treat to him and half a dozen com- 
rades. The meal was an agreeable surprise, long re- 



The Fall of Vicksburg. 95 

membered by them all. Mrs. Bickerdyke seemed to 
know every one's name instinctively, and whoever she 
spoke to felt that she was particularly interested in 
himself. It is not surprising that she won such uni- 
versal respect and esteem from those men. They 
often came to her with their little treasures, if they 
anticipated exposure to any imminent peril; and they 
placed hundreds of dollars of their pay in her hands 
for safe keeping. She was indeed trusted and hon- 
ored as much as though the word " mother," by which 
they all called her, was something more than a mere 
figurative appellation. 

Vicksburg surrendered on the Fourth of July, 1863, 
thus appropriately celebrating the national holiday, 
that marks, as if with mile-stones, the progress of the 
Union. The thunder of artillery reverberated through 
the forests, followed by the ringing shouts of the vic- 
torious Federal troops. This sublime music pro- 
claimed not only the doom of the defeated foe, but 
the joy of the whole North, because 

From the small crystal springs that were gleaming, 

Like gems in the green northern vales, 
To the gulf where the sunlight was streaming. 

In floods on the ocean-bound sails, 

The Father of Waters was sweeping 

Unvexed through the beautiful land; 
While Liberty, smiling and weeping, 

Rejoiced in the work of her hand. 

The pine needles glittered and waved in the South- 
ern breeze, upon which floated the banners that had 
been tattered and stained in this latest victory of 
freedom. A thousand mingling sounds seemed try- 
ing to drown the sweet rippling of the river, that still 



96 Mother Bickerdyke. 

might be heard Uke a clear contralto softly joining its 
hynnn of praise with the warlike symphony. 

From the bluffs about Vicksburg, a throng of piti- 
able men came pouring down, tottering with weakness, 
and within its now useless defenses, many lay dying 
of hunger and pain. The conquerors were generous 
to them, and the surgeons and nurses acted literally 
upon the Golden Rule; so, although that memora- 
ble day was marked by defeat to the Confederates, it 
brought the balm of peace and comfort to those who 
had suffered most. 

The hospital tents were clean, airy places, supplied 
with comfortable cots, above which curtains and mos- 
quito bars were suspended. Large palm leaf fans 
were supplied to all of the patients, and added greatly 
to their comfort. A considerable portion of the Fed- 
eral Army was encamped in the vicinity of Vicksburg, 
for the purpose of rest during the midsummer heat. 
The soldiers were high-spirited and lively, and their 
quarters were comfortably and healthfully arranged, 
making an unusual amount of enjoyment possible to 
them. Few duties were required, and these were con- 
fined almost entirely to exercises which are agreeable 
to the true soldier. Many of the officers sent for 
their families to spend with them this unusual inter- 
val of peace and rest; and thoughts of home were 
suggested to many a brave fellow, by the sight of the 
fair and merry children who visited the camps. Often 
the gorgeous sunsets shed a glow of gold and crimson 
light upon a group of soldiers in their fresh uniforms, 
listening to the strains of some favorite air, played 



Thp: Fall of Vicksburg. 97 

softly by one of the regimental bands; and in the 
short, dusky hour that followed, many longing eyes 
gazed absently upon the brightening stars, while fancy 
pictured, instead, the dear face of some one beloved, 
now far away and lonely in her Northern home. 

Though the soldiers were resting upon the laurels 
which they had so dearly won, no link in the chain 
of duty was broken, and the near future promised to 
be full of hard service. All through those quiet weeks 
a thread of preparation for the autumn campaign was 
woven. Men from the hospital tents rejoined their 
regiments, and as the season wore on, the numbers of 
these increased daily, showing that amid those sunny 
groves, faithful care and skill were unrelaxed, and 
doing their priceless work. Midsummer days and 
sultry nights saw Mrs. Bickerdyke actively and con- 
stantly engaged in her chosen duties. Patient toil 
and much energy were required of her, and these were 
not wanting. Wherever she went, order and plenty 
followed, as if invoked by some secret power. 

The gentle zephyr, that brings health and pleasure, 
excites little comment, though it may be highly ap- 
preciated; but the loud and sudden thunder-storm, 
that purifies the air, is noticed near and far. Thus it 
may be attributed much to her commanding spirit 
and dauntless courage in dealing with the few, whom 
she found to be selfish and dishonest in regard to 
sanitary work, that made her name become a familiar 
and pleasant word to the officers and soldiers alike. 
Her popularity served her well sometimes. Upon 
one occasion, an officer who had charge of sanitary 
7 



98 Mother Bickerdyke. 

supplies was discovered by her in the act of making 
some perfidious use of them; and, as usual, was not 
permitted to pursue the course he had adopted. That 
he should be interfered with by her was more than 
his dignity could brook, and with all the pomp of of- 
fended authority, he complained to General Sherman. 

"Who is she?" inquired the general. 

"A Mother Bickerdyke," he scornfully replied. 

"Oh! well," said the general, "she ranks me, you 
must apply to President Lincoln." 

The disconcerted officer slunk quickly away, while 
the general indulged in a smile of amusement. Mrs- 
Bickerdyke was well known to him. He appreciated 
her remarkable abilities, and secured her services for 
his men, when the autumn campaign began. 

Late in September the picturesque camp-life about 
Vicksburg was disturbed by the dictates of war. The 
tents were struck, and brigade after brigade marched 
away,. their gleaming bayonets and bright uniforms 
enlivening every scene through which they passed- 
Sometimes their road wound through yellow corn 
fields, where the silken tassels nodded with promise 
in every breeze; and again it lay across plantations 
uncultivated and desolate, or between the hills and up 
the rivers, where echoes reveled in every note that 
rung through the sparse forests, from the moving 
hosts. Their steps were bent and their faces were 
turned towards Lookout Mountain to which their 
hearts leaped forward in anticipation of future con- 
quests. The capture of Vicksburg shed a glory upon 
them, like that of the brilliant sunsets which foretold 



Ranking a General. 99 

a fair and golden dawn. General Grant, the hero of 
this triumph, was still their guide, and every soldier 
looked with faith toward the star of his fame, that was 
rapidly ascending to the zenith of ultimate success. 
From border to border throughout the Union, his 
name was becoming synonymous with victory; and 
it inspired the armies with redoubled strength and 
courage. 

The troops advanced by long and toilsome marches, 
with their eyes fixed upon the rainbow that seemed 
to encircle the clouded brow of Lookout Mountain; 
and in their train followed Mrs. Bickerdyke with Gen- 
eral Sherman's lively and dauntless men. 

As they proceeded eastward, the varying landscapes 
daily became more desolate. They had been rav- 
aged by the conflicting armies, and autumn strove in 
vain to beautify therh with the ruby and russet em- 
broideries of her threadbare scarf The dark blue 
outlines of Missionary Ridge, appearing against the 
sky, told Mrs. Bickerdyke that she had reached her 
destination. No welcome to a friendly fireside 
greeted her here, and offered rest after the long and 
wearisome journey; but instead, the field hospital near 
Chattanooga, with its gray tents, swept by chill winds, 
and filled with wounded soldiers, who needed her 
gentle care. 



Oy^gTBR V. 



Chattancoga — "Log-heaps" — "The Battle in the Clouds' 
— A Tempestuous Night — Funerals at Christmas-tide — 
HuNTsviLLE — A Trip to the North — On to Atlanta — At 
RiNGOLD — The Field Hospital at Resaca — Kingston — 
War in the Woods — New Hope — In Ambush — The P'orta- 
ble Oven — Trying the Dough — Woman's Influence. 




'ARK and grim appeared the craggy 
sides of Mount Lookout and Mission- 
ary Ridge, as the storms came sweep- 
ing around them, and whistHng 
through the forest below. In these 
wind-swept woods, about three miles 
from Chattanooga, the field hospital 
for the men who had been wounded in 
the battle of Chickamauga, was located. 
Their frail tents, pitched among the trees, were often 
rent and overthrown by the gale; and sometimes 
giant boughs were hurled against them by the same 
pitiless force. Here the privations which the soldiers 
endured, were great. Supplies of all sorts were lim- 
ited, and the approach of winter was heralded by the 

(lOO) 



Chattanooga. 101 

bitter cold and dampness of a more than usually se- 
vere season. Although fuel could be obtained in 
abundance from the forest, fires could not be ar- 
ranged so as to give sufficient warmth. Around a 
large " log-heap " of burning wood, placed in a small 
clearing, several tents were pitched. Dark plumes of 
smoke curled up from the blazing pile, and upon the 
coals beneath, the frugal meals for the patients and 
their attendants were prepared. 

These " log-heaps " each with its circle of gray tents^ 
were numerous, forming a strange village, not unlike 
those of the savage tribes, which had nestled about 
the base of the same blue mountains long ago, when 
the forests waved in primeval beauty, and the toma- 
hawk and arrow were the weapons of war. Now in- 
stead of these barbarous implements, the spirit of 
battle looked upon the formidable array of artillery 
frowning behind the entrenchments and fortifications 
that scarred Mount Lookout's beetling brows, and the 
stony sides of Missionary Ridge. Upon these nat- 
ural strongholds the Confederate Army fancied itself 
secure, and waited with confidence, while the Union 
forces gathered in the surrounding valleys, and upon 
the rolhng hill-slopes, threaded by bright, silvery 
rivers and streams, that only made the scene appear' 
darker and colder. 

From the tents in the forest, a ma nificent view of 
these threatening heights could be obtained. The 
panorama was remarkable for the bold grandeur of 
nature seen in the rugged hills; and for the waving 
flags and gleaming tents of the Southern hosts, that 



102 Mother Bickerdyke. 

appeared brilliant and clearly defined against the 
somber background. Mrs. Bickerdyke lost no precious 
time in contemplating this array of battle, but, with 
the force of an intensely practical nature, immediately 
began the work she found at hand. She selected a 
" log-heap," and, after enlarging it to double the size of 
the others, proceeded to prepare fresh and wholesome 
food, much of which was obtained from the stores 
that she had contrived to bring with her. Fragrant 
tea and coffee were made in the iron kettles upon the 
coals; and toast and broiled meat were prepared by 
means almost as rude and simple as that adopted by 
the gypsies, Delicious soup was kept steaming hot, 
and ready at all hours. 

The soldiers had made little ovens for themselves 
of bricks and clay, and these suggested to Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke the idea of having several of a larger size, con- 
structed for her primitive kitchen. The plan was 
readily acted upon, and soon enabled her to prepare 
fine bread, roasted meat, and even cakes; so the dis- 
tasteful " hard tack," which had been served so long, 
was replaced by fresh light bread, that many a grate- 
ful man declared equal to the appetizing loaves made 
in his own home. 

The wildness and danger of their surroundings were 
never permitted to be absent from their minds. Con- 
stantly the rumble of wheels and the tramp of march- 
ing feet, the calls of the bugles and the beats of the 
drums, all, softened by distance, called up the vision 
of armed hosts rapidly preparing for battle; and not 
only this commotion kept them alert, but also the 



At the Base of Missionary Ridge. 103 

deadly missiles that sped down from the mountain 
slopes across the Union lines, threatening their refuge. 

About three days before the battle, Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke rejoined General Sherman's corps at the base of 
Missionary Ridge. She was received by many of the 
soldiers with a true friendly welcome, which was to her 
as gratifying as dew and sunshine are to a flower that 
has been shut away from those grateful influences. 
As yet no other woman had reached these scenes, and 
being a stranger in an unfamiliar place, she felt the 
want of sympathy that is so highly appreciated by a 
warm and friendly nature. The pleasant assurance 
of thankful feelings and kind remembrances, which 
was expressed by "the boys" for whom she had 
toiled so earnestly during the hot summer at Vicks- 
burg, was to her the reward most prized of any that 
Providence could bestow. In this, she manifested 
the true feminine spirit that actuated her to do and 
dare so much for her country. Although the soldiers 
might call her " general," they felt that she was, in 
truth, the " mother," about whose head filial eyes 
could discern the matchless aureole that glorifies the 
brow of motherhood. 

The Battle in the Clouds began upon the 23d of 
November, 1863, a threatening day in which autumn 
scattered her hectic leaves upon the sod, and wept 
and shivered in the gloom. The mountain heights 
revealed the fearful revelry of death which was pro- 
claimed by the rolling thunder of artillery, and the 
whistling of bullets. Sometimes the white smoke 
from long lines of rapidly discharged muskets as- 



104 Mother Bickerdyke. 

cendcd from the crags and defensive works; and 
again it was puffed away in clouds from the booming 
guns, making the power of war appear indeed most 
terrible. From the almost deserted valley, Mrs. 
Bickerdyke looked upon this sublime theater of 
action far above her, scarcely discerning its magnifi- 
cence; her heart was so full of hope and anxiety for 
the valiant soldiers, who were bearing the old Union 
flag steadily upward against the storm of fire and 
lead that beat down their ranks. That first day of 
the struggle was the most trying of all to her, be- 
cause there was nothing to relieve the suspense which 
it excited. During the dismal afternoon the wounded 
were brought in from the fields of carnage, with faces 
pale and streaked with powder, their uniforms tat- 
tered and stained with blood. The tents arranged 
to receive them were pitched upon a small hill that 
sloped down to the Tennessee River, at the base of 
Missionary Ridge. 

Night closed over the scene, dark and bitter cold; 
and the wind blew out the lanterns and scattered the 
fagots piled upon the " log-heaps." The roar of 
artillery ceased to reverberate among the hills at 
night-fall, and through the blackness that obscured 
every surrounding object, the sighing of the winds in 
the trees, and the murmuring of the river, came to 
mingle with the groans of the wounded and dying. 
Some of the tents were blown from their fastenings 
by the gale, exposing the unfortunate sufferers, whom 
they had sheltered, to indescribable agony. Here 
even the matchless courage of the soldiers' mother 



Caring for the Wounded. 105 

did not fail her. She hastened from tent to tent 
with medicine, dressings- for wounds, and cordials. 
Burning coals and hot bricks were taken into the 
tents, and steaming beverages, administered freely, 
to counteract the fatal chills that insidiously crept 
over the men, when weakened from loss of blood and 
the fatigue of battle. 

The skirts of Mrs. Bickerdyke's thick flannel dress 
were perforated as if by bullets, from being repeatedly 
set on fire by the coals and flying sparks of the " log- 
heaps," while she hastened about her duties. All 
through the night and during the day that followed, 
this work was continued. Wounded men swelled 
the number of the patients every hour, until night 
again mercifully arrested the work of death. But a 
new danger threatened them. The weather grew so 
cold that they were almost frozen; and Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke hastened through the cutting blasts with glow- 
ing embers and hot bricks, until after midnight, when 
she became too much exhausted to continue this life- 
saving work any longer, and was compelled to take 
a few hours' rest. 

On the 2 5Lh day of November the national flag 
floated from the purple summits of the mountains, 
that were splashed with life-blood, bright as the red 
stripes in the folds of the glorious Union standard, 

A few hours had changed the scene. On the day 
before, fleecy gray vapors had curtained from view 
General Hooker's intrepid men, as they scaled the 
dizzy heights of old Lookout. They had completely 
surprised the Confederates, driving them from their 



106 Mother Bickerdyke. 

rifle-pits; tiien, like an inspiration, came the order, 
" Charge," and they sprang upward with resistless 
fury, climbing the precipitous crags under the deadly 
fire of the enemy, and never relaxing their efforts 
until they had routed their antagonists, and carried 
the whole position. This military feat, unrivaled for 
brilliancy, was repeated the next day on Missionary 
Ridge, when General Grant ordered an assault on 
the whole Confederate line. It was pressed with 
dauntless heroism, until the scorched and tattered 
Union colors waved triumphantly above the crown 
of the ridge, from which the Southern army fled in 
disastrous confusion. 

Now the clouds had dissolved in rain or drifted 
away, and a clear azure sky permitted the sunshine 
to gild and beautify every object of nature. It beamed 
as brightly upon the stark figures of the unburied 
slain as it did upon the Federal army, flushed with 
the intoxication of victory. Although the men were 
weary and almost overwhelmed with fatigue, they 
still pursued their vanquished foes, who retreated 
toward Ringold. There, on the 26th, an engagement 
took place, which ended the four days' conflict, that 
constituted one of the grandest and most terrible bat- 
tles of the whole War of the Rebellion. 

The men wounded at Ringold were sent to join 
those near Chattanooga. Here, in the immense field 
hospital, Mrs. Bickerdyke continued to labor, endur- 
ing the most severe hardships with remarkable re- 
sistance. As Christmas day approached, the good 
cheer and joyful family gatherings, which make winter 



At Ringold. 107 

holiday seasons so delightful, were painfully recallel 
by the disabled soldiers, because the dark foreboding 
present appeared, even more wretched when contrasted 
with those memories. If holly and pine flourished 
in the woods about Chattanooga, they offered their 
treasures of scarlet berries an i glossy tassels in vain; 
or perhaps they had been cut away by bullets and 
shells. Instead of sharing in festivities where music 
and light weave their spells of gladness about the 
altar and the fireside, the men lay in helpless pain. 
Sun-browned veterans of the war, in all the pride 
and vigor of perfect manhood, and slender boys whose 
frames were fired with youthful enthusiasm, had been 
struck and left helpless by cruel missiles and bayonets; 
and now the days that peace and pleasure claim saw 
many of them borne to their graves far from home, 
and interred with the brief yet impressive ceremonies 
of a military funeral. 

A large number of these soldiers \vho were laid to 
rest at the foot of the mountains where they had 
fought and conquered so gloriously, were young, and 
their doom seemed the more to be regretted, because 
among them was many a youth, 

Within whose soul the gem of power 

Had promised to unfold, 
Into the glorious amaranth flower. 
Which is a rare immortal dower 

More precious far than gold. 

The laurels and the banners bright, 

The stars, and all the rest 
The future promised, sink from sight. 
When the young brow, so smooth and white, 

By Death's cold lip is pressed. 



108 Mother Bickerdyke. 

Ah! Fame and Freedom ne'er can know, 

When the young hearts are still, 
What they have lost, beneath the snow 
Of those pale brows — what laurels grow 

Unculled from vale and hill. 

New Year's day was made one of gladness to Mrs. 
Bickerdyke, by the arrival of her cherished friend. 
Mrs. Porter. She had come from Cairo, wliich was 
the last place she had stopped at on her patriotic and 
charitable mission. Mrs. Bickerdyke welcomed her 
cordially, and at the same time indulged in a touching 
shower of tears that were a relief to her feelings, 
which had been severely taxed for weeks. Tears 
excite pity when shed by the young and helpless, 
but when they sparkle on the cheeks of one so strong 
and cheerful as Mrs. Bickerdyke, they call for the 
most sincere compassion, because they spring from 
sources so deep and difficult to reach. 

These admirable companions pursued their work 
together, all through the hard, stormy winter and 
into early spring. Often food was supplied in what 
the poor sufferers tersely described as " starvation ra- 
tions;" and at such times, these tender, self-sacrificing 
women divided their morsels with some young soldier 
who appeared weaker than the rest. Their respective 
characteristics here also led them to select different 
methods of performing their common tasks. In Mrs. 
Bickerdyke's nature, the inexhaustible warmth and 
hope made her presence a source of inspiration and 
courage that did more good than it is possible to es- 
timate; while her compeer was as admirable, dissemi- 
nating the influence of her pure, trustful faith, that 



The Arrival of Mrs. Porter. 109 

enabled despairing men to bear the cross of their 
calamities. 

Mrs. Porter distributed stores and nursed the sick, 
while Mrs. Bickerdyke continued to reign in her 
primitive kitchen, which was improved slowly, until it 
became of much importance. After a time, regular 
supplies of food and other stores were sent to the sta- 
tion at Chattanooga, and she frequently went in an 
army wagon, drawn by mules, to receive them. This 
was a tedious drive, over a rough and muddy road, 
rendered still more slow and wearisome on account of 
the bad condition of the mules. On her return to the 
hospital, she proceeded to do her usual day's work 
before taking any rest, baking bread and preparing 
other food until late at night. Though she sought 
her cot with weary steps and heavy eyes, a feeble 
moan always recalled her from her much-needed sleep 
to the side of the one in distress, and she saved many 
lives by this constant watchfulness. 

In March, while the lingering storms continued to 
OSS and drench the branches about their camp, the 
last of the convalescent soldiers were allowed to re- 
turn on furlough to their Northern homes. There is 
something weird in the rapidity of change that 
frequently distinguishes great battles or calamities. 
But a single winter had passed over those mountains 
and valleys, and yet the events which had transpired 
during that time will render them forever haunted 
with associations of carnage, and sacred to the pages 
of history. Of the 80,000 Union men, whose uni- 
forms had made the landscape blue in November. 



110 Mother Bickerdyke. 

none remained except those at rest under the sods, 
which returning spring- would soon cover with fresh 
leaves and blossoms. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke and Mrs. Porter went immediately 
to Huntsville, and took charge of the military hos- 
pital there. Large numbers of the men who had suf- 
fered such terrible privations during the winter, were 
afflicted with scurvy in consequence, and as varieties 
of food necessary to their recovery could not be ob- 
tained in those ravaged and desolate regions of the 
South, the two women decided to procure a supply 
from the North. They started for Chicago, but on 
reaching Nashville, their demands were satisfied for 
the present; and they returned to the soldiers at 
Huntsville, laden with vegetables and dried fruit, for 
which the most sincere gratitude was shown. 

Men, who had left congenial pursuits and the lux- 
uries of a home; who had marched over the rocks and 
marshes until their feet were bare, and their footprints 
marked with blooJ; who had faced death in battle, 
and defied the power of fever and cold, all for the 
sake of their patriotism, received a pickled vegetable 
or a morsel of dried fruit with trembling fingers, that 
could not have been tempted to take a nugget of gold 
in its place. This is not typical of the terrors of war, 
like the field of conflict and the prison, but of the 
privations incidental to active army life. Indeed, as 
Carlyle says, "The historian should be a poet." No 
one less gifted could do justice even to the heroes of 
the ranks. 

Later in the spring, the supply of fresh vegetables 



The Heroes of the Ranks. Ill 

again became inadequate, and Mrs. Bickerdyke went 
North to procure fruit and pickles. She found the 
people no less responsive to her requests than they 
had been the year before; yet, owing to the nature of 
the food required, she had to make greater personal 
efforts to obtain the desired amount. Upon many 
occasions she spoke in churches and at public meet- 
ings, making appeals remarkable for their directness 
and point, and for the success that followed them- 
Whileon thise.KCursion, she observed with moreinterest 
the tender shoots appearing in the kitchen gardens, 
than the first bright rosebuds and pansies that orna- 
mented many a porch and lawn. Her feelings were 
so deeply interested in the army work that she neg- 
lected this opportunity of taking a much-needed rest^ 
in order to return to Huntsville as soon as possible. 
On reaching Nashville she received a gift of $ioo, to 
be used for the soldiers in any manner that she should 
deem most wise and beneficial. This had been sent 
by the people of Milwaukee. Her energy and ear- 
nestness had greatly impressed them while she was 
there upon her last visit, and, besides, they had not 
forgotten her remarkable " cow and hen mission." 

She still devoted most of her services to the Army 
of the Tennessee; and her work was highly prized by 
all of the officers, from whom she received much con- 
sideration; now listening to General McPherson's offers 
to do anything in his power to assist her; and again, 
upon General Sherman's request, consenting to ac- 
company his forces during the next campaign. 

Early in March. 1864, General Grant was appointed 



112 Mother Bickerdyke. 

commander-in-chief of all the armies of the United 
States. This conferred upon him the power to con- 
trol and direct no less than 700,000 Union soldiers, 
by whom he was honored and admired. After decid- 
ing upon the course he thought best to adopt, in order 
to crush the Rebellion, he gave General Sherman an 
important part of his plan to carry out. This was to 
move against Atlanta, which was held by the Con- 
federate forces under General Johnston. With this 
design, General Sherman soon sent a thrill of excite- 
ment and preparation throughout the Federal camps 
at Chattanooga and Huntsville, w^here the greater part 
of his gathering army, now 100,000 strong, was sta- 
tioned. For more than a month, the work of making 
all things ready for the military movements contem- 
plated, went steadily on. When May arrived, with 
her sunshine and verdure. General Sherman was pre- 
pared to start with forces of which he said, " I doubt 
if any army ever went forth to battle with fewer im- 
pedimefita, and where the regular and necessary sup- 
plies of food, ammunition, and clothing were issued, 
as called for, so regularly and so well." 

Like their leader, who set the example, every man 
forgot all personal considerations in his resolution to 
win the prize in view. Even the tents were left be- 
hind, both officers and men sleeping under the one 
dark, star-hung tent that night stretches over the 
hemisphere. They were full of determination and 
enthusiasm, and arose at dawn, shaking lightly the 
pearls of dew from their clothing, and beginning their 
duties with a jest or a snatch of song. During the 



On to Atlanta. 113 

first week in May, the army of General Sherman bent 
its steps toward the sea, well equipped to battle with 
the powerful foes, who were fortified in the cities and 
strongholds between. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke and Mrs. Porter followed them, 
with their stores of all things necessary to alleviate 
the pain and lessen the trials of those who should be- 
come sick or wounded. Though they had seen and 
shared much suffering in sight of the beautiful mount- 
ains toward which their gaze was fixed in farewell, 
they advanced into the hostile country with hearts as 
fearless, and courage as great, as did any one in a blue 
uniform preceding them. Softer and dimmer grew 
the outlines of the peaks, until they appeared as if 
draped with folds of rich velvet, that had caught the 
luster of sunlight. That receding scene might well be 
panoplied with splendor, for there the laurels of tri- 
umph flourished, still fresh and bright with ruby gems 
of dew. Mrs. Bickerdyke was prepared for service. 
She was not carefully protected, although whatever 
was necessary to her comfort was supplied, as well as 
circumstances permitted. Besides, she was neither 
empty-handed nor at leisure. On reaching Ringold, 
where the railroad terminated, she was told that her 
sanitary supplies could not be sent further. Every 
means of transportation that the Government could 
utilize, was appropriated to its service, and at that 
time orders were issued to forward only necessary 
food, clothing, ammunition, and such things for the 
soldiers. Mrs. Bickerdyke did not submit to these 
stringent orders without making some effort to have 



114 Mother Bickerdyke. 

them changed. Yet to do this, without much delay, 
was difficult, as all the officers whose authority was 
adequate to her purpose were many miles beyond. 
While she was deliberating upon the dilemma, she 
observed a train of mule teams, loaded with freight for 
the army, about to start, and with characteristic de- 
termination resolved that her supplies should go with 
it. She went immediately to the master of transpor- 
tation, who was familiar with the popular name of 
Mother Bickerdyke, and succeeded in persuading him 
to allow a small portion of her goods to be carried 
upon each wagon. By this means she was enabled 
to convey everything that was necessary for immedi- 
ate use to its destination. Taking her seat in an am- 
bulance, she was S' lon upon the road toward the 
mountain defiles of Georgia. It was well that she 
lost but little time in Ringold, for ere the long day's 
journey was at an end, the ominous roar of distant 
cannon broke like a discord through the minor notes 
of bird and insect life, that floated upon the evening 
dusk. 

She knew too well the meaning of those solemn 
sounds, and her face grew pale, though her heart 
leaped forward at the tidings. The next morning 
while all nature was resplendent with dew, glittering 
in the clear light of May, she arrived at the battle- 
field of Resaca. Knapsacks and overcoats were piled 
in little pyramids under the trees, and all about, 
wounded men lay upon the sod, while the hospital 
tents were being pitched. One by one they were 
borne into these hastily-arranged shelters, after 



The Battle of Resaca. 115 

having had their wounds dressed by surgeons, whose 
operating tables were placed under wide-spreading 
trees, in the shade of which their duties were per- 
formed. Ghastly fragments of human bodies were 
piled upon the ground, and from this sickening sight, 
Mrs. Bickerdyke turned away to attend upon the piti- 
able beings who had suffered such losses. 

Kneeling upon the ground, she bound up gaping 
wounds, and bathed agonized faces. She gave spirits 
and wine to those who were fainting, and thus la- 
bored until the field hospitals were made ready. 

Then she appeared bustling about a rude, yet well- 
supplied kitchen, that seemed to have sprung into 
existence by means of such magic as that attributed 
to Aladdin's lamp. Nourishing food, so much needed 
by men in the prostrate condition of these soldiers, 
was given to them freely. To them it came as a to- 
ken that even here they were within the reach of kin- 
dred and friends. It was manna from Heaven in the 
wilderness. 

In a short time the patients were removed into the 
town of Resaca, now in possession of the Union sol- 
diers, and placed in comfortable buildings, appropriated 
for military hospital purposes. Mrs. Bickerdyke re- 
mained at her post of duty here, while the valiant 
Federal forces were pursuing General Johnston's re- 
treating army, and preparing for another battle. 
During this period, nurses arrived from the North, 
and the hospitals were completely organized. Well- 
arranged kitcl;ens were prepared, and likewise fine 
laundries; so that proper food and clothing were sup- 



116 Mother Bickerdyke. 

plied in abundance. This was accomplished pimci- 
pally through Mrs. Bickerdyke's enterprising spirit 
and ardent zeal, which always impressed those around 
her, and aroused in them similar qualities, if such 
were dormant. This faculty of discovering the latent 
powers of others, and the ability to incite them to ac- 
tion, gave every work in which she interested herself 
an impetus that greatly promoted its success. 

When the army again attacked the Confederates, 
this noble woman was free to follow it into the field, 
and there minister to the wounded and dying, with the 
tenderness and efficiency that made her so widely 
known and so highl}' esteemed. 

At Kingston, Georgia, Mrs. Bickerdyke labored in 
the hospitals, and there was much for her to do; as 
there were more than nine thousand disabled soldiers 
placed in them, and treated until they were able to 
travel to the more salubrious regions of the North. 
Early in the summer, many of the men, not being 
acclimated, were attacked with fever and sunstroke, 
and the cool, airy wards of the Kingston hospitals 
were, to such, havens of refuge most eagerly sought. 
When suffering from wounds, the light tent, or even 
the branches of trees arched into a shelter, may be 
quite comfortable and healthful for men accustomed 
to the atmospheric changes of all seasons, as the 
veterans were; but the burning agonies of fever and 
sunstroke, that seemed to make the strongest wither 
like a wilting plant, demand more careful treatment. 

Through the bewildering sensations caused by fev- 
erish delirium, the only things that calm and soothe 



Saved from Neglect. 117 

the troubled nerves, are cooling potions and gentle 
opiates, administered by the physician or nurse. Mrs. 
Bickerdyke's caution and pity enabled her to save a 
noble young man from the most cruel neglect through 
misapprehension. Late one afternoon, a poor fellow, 
in a soiled -and dusty uniform, staggered to the door 
and asked admittance in a thick and stuttering voice. 
His congested face and entire appearance were mis- 
taken for those of a drunken man, and he was ordered 
to leave. But Mrs. Bickerdyke's motherly heart re- 
belled against this summary treatment. 

" Let the poor boy have a chance to get over this 
plight first," she remonstrated, and she soon had him 
placed in a comfortable cot, when it u^as discovered 
that he was suffering from sunstroke. Prompt atten- 
tion from the doctors, and faithful nursing, insured 
his recovery. If these had been withheld only a lit- 
tle longer, this young soldier, who proved to be a 
most estimable man, would have been lost to his 
friends and to his country. 

In the early part of the season that dreaded army 
disease, the scurvy, made its appearance, and de- 
manded special treatment. The wagon trains and 
railroads were taxed to their uttermost capacity, and 
yet could not transport sufficient quantities of vege- 
tables to supply the soldiers. Later, when summer's 
fervid sunbeams had dissolved the mists and filled the 
woodlands with wild fruit and flowers, the disorder 
disappeared. On the banks of the streams grew 
clumps of thorny blackberry bushes, and the soldiers 
sought them as eagerly as school-boys, for the sprays 



118 Mother Bickerdyke. 

that bent down to the very water's brink with the 
weight of sweet, ripe berries. Broad fields of corn 
next offered roasting ears, thickly set with plump, 
milky kernels; and after this the army had an abun- 
dance of such food. 

The dense woods that mantled the rough and un- 
frequented vales and ridges stretching southeast to 
Atlanta, were filled with the soldiers of both the 
Northern and Southern armies. The Confederate 
columns were constantly driven "from stronghold to 
stronghold while the boys in blue advanced. But 
every foot of the ground they gained, was hotly dis- 
puted and dearly won. Rocks and trees, hastily 
thrown up embankments of earth, and every species 
of cover available, served as shelters from which the 
contending armies fought in a continuous battle, 
waged by strong skirmish lines that often stretched 
across ten miles of the rugged creek-veined country. 
The sounds of musketry and artillery tortured the 
air every hour, for night stayed not the soldiers' 
hands. It was a strange and terrible warfare. Only 
glimpses of each other from behind the formidable 
defenses could the opposing soldiers obtain; and these 
were frequently as mysterious and uncertain as the 
delusive objects glimmering in a mii'age. 

Through the centuries long gone by, savages waged 
their barbarous wars within those woodlands. The 
startling Indian whoop and whir of arrows sounded 
through the stately vistas, in which the painted com- 
batants may have appeared to each other and van- 
ished again, with the impish uncertainty characteristic 



Driven from SxRONGHOLi^ to Stronghold. 119 

of their wild and cruel natures. Now their bones lay 
crumbling within the mounds that rise upon the 
banks of the Etowah River, murmuring through the 
glades at no great distance. The race which drove 
them from their battle-grounds now pursue upon the 
same fields as fierce a strife, in somewhat the same 
manner, yet far more deadly and grand; for these 
warriors vastly outnumber the red men who fought, 
and they are superbly equipped with weapons of ter- 
rific might, perfected by the art and science of all 
ages. Their formidable trenches wrinkle the ground, 
and their charges are unrivaled in either boldness or 
strategy. 

On toward Dallas, our forces pressed through the 
dense woods, over the sharp ridges, across the streams, 
and along the winding, rut-seamed wagon roads, that 
converged toward the Confederate strongholds. At 
the place called " New Hope," from the church of 
that name, which held its spire aloft among the trees 
that fringed the cross-roads there, a spirited engage- 
ment took place. It began late in the afternoon, on 
the 25th of May. The fighting was continued until 
night was far advanced, when from the black storm 
cl( uds, lowering in the heavens, heavy rains fell, put- 
ting an end to the conflict; but the next day it was 
recommenced, and raged throughout the week. Dur- 
ing this time so much suffering was endured, and so 
many fell killed or wounded, that the soldiers called 
the place "Hell Hole." 

Men were borne to the rear constantly, and soon a 
vast field hospital appeared in the woods, but a short 



120 Mother Bickerdyke. 

distance from the line of battle. Thousands were 
g-athcred here, as the prolonged and cruel strife was 
continued. Some were carried through the rain, and 
left upon the muddy ground, in their splashed and 
dripping garments, to await the attention of the sur- 
geons, who were greatly overworked. The discom- 
forts and difficulties occasioned by the storms, caused 
delays and sickness, adding to the terrors and dis- 
asters to which the soldiers were subjected, and re- 
tarding the progress of their exciting victories. Still 
burning with the thirst for triumph, each man did 
valiantly his part, and often won a palm of glory for 
some daring feat; or perhaps sheathed within his 
quivering flesh, a missile that laid him low with the 
wounded and dying. 

One of the latter, whose experience may serve as a 
prototype for many, was in ambush behind a cluster 
of tall ferns and shrubbery, through which he had suc- 
ceeded in sending several ~ bullets into the brown 
homespun of more than one Southerner. Growing 
less cautious, as the glow of excitement pervaded his 
being, he straightened his tall figure for .a moment so 
that he became visible to some one of the enemy, con- 
cealed in the woods before him. In an instant he 
heard the whiz of a bullet, then of several, and felt a 
sting across his cheek and along his arm, as if a whip 
lash had struck him. The world grew dark as he 
dropped upon the ground, and he felt his own warm 
blood in his eyes and upon his hands, as he tried to 
clear his vision. When consciousness returned, dim 
slanting raindrops beating into his face, and through 



The Wounded Soldier. 121 

the trees, gave his surroundings the weird character of 
a dream. Wounded men were lying upon the grass 
all about him, and a few soldiers and negroes were 
removing these as rapidly as possible. His turn 
came, and soon he was placed upon the table in a 
surgeon's tent, where again unconsciousness merci- 
fully conquered pain with oblivion. His arm was 
amputated; then followed weary days, during which 
he slowly recovered from his injuries. Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke came through the rain to his tent with bread 
and wine. Drops of water trembled like beads upon 
her hood, and her dress was damp and mudsplashed, 
still her voice rang pleasantly, and her words were 
patient and kind, as though she felt no discomfort. 
Fever soon set in, and for a long time he lingered 
upon the verge of death. Through the painful wan- 
derings of delirium, the knowledge of her watchful 
care, and faith in her skill, seemed to sustain him, 
and when the fever left him, though faint and ex- 
hausted, he recognized in her face the maternal love 
and devotion that had been the means of saving his 
life. Thus she labored here in much the same man- 
ner that had distinguished her course amid the pain- 
ful scenes through which she had previously passed. 
Besides, the experience gleaned from those fields, 
facilitated the progress of every branch of her work 
here. 

After preparing all of the delicacies that could be 
obtained, as well as wholesome food of an ordinary 
nature, she spent the hours in which she might have 
rested, at the side of some feeble and suffering soldier. 



122 Mother Bicklrdvke. 

Enough cannot be said in praise of the good her en- 
couraging words and cheerful presence did those who 
came within her sphere of action. She was often 
told that her care was more potent to cure than med- 
icine; and being so strong and energetic, she visited 
the thousands around her almost daily. Much leisure 
for this purpose was gained through her magnetic 
influence over all whom she assumed to command. 
A small force of negroes went and came at her bid- 
ding, as if magnetized by her will; and convalescent 
patients delighted to show their gratitude by un- 
wearying efforts in her service. She directed those 
about her so naturally and gracefully, that obedience 
to her wishes seemed offered rather than exacted. 
Like others gifted with a faculty of commanding, she 
could attend to a variety of details with rapidity and 
success. 

Every day five hundred loaves of light, delicious 
bread were baked under her supervision. She peeped 
into the jars of foamy yeast to ascertain if it was ex- 
actly right, and never failed to examine the dough 
while rising. Passing her hand rapidly along the 
warm, smooth loaves, she could tell with the exactness 
gained from experience when they were ready for 
the oven; and the dusky members of her devoted 
retinue credited her with witch-like powers, declaring 
that if she did not " try the dough the bread was 
sure to he bad." 

No interruption was occasioned to her bakery, by 
the removal of a hospital, or when traveling was neces- 
sary. The dough was set to rise, and kept warm by 



Baking Bread. 123 

means of blankets, while being moved in the wag- 
ons. At evening it was baked as usual. This was 
accomplished by means of a portable oven which the 
soldiers had prepared of bricks, each one being in- 
geniously numbered, so that the oven could be read- 
ily taken apart or put together. From early dawn 
until long after night-fall, roaring fires burned red in 
the wide fire-place attached to it. Mrs. Bickerdyke 
arranged in these woods a laundry, somewhat resem- 
bling that which she had superintended at Corinth, 
and the negroes, under her direction, performed a 
prodigious amount of work here, and in the gypsy- 
like kitchen. 

The purpose for which she accompanied General 
Sherman's army was successfully accomplished, for 
the wholesome food and clean clothing she thus sup- 
plied in the midst of the wilderness, assisted greatly 
in saving the lives of the sick and wounded; and be- 
sides, the charm of her powers, diffused even about 
this wild habitation of pain, something of home-like 
comfort and celestial peace. 



Gf2^g-TfiR ^I. 



Allatoona Pass and Kenesaw Mountain — Marietta — "The 
Twins," or "The Babies" — Ever Alert — "The Gate City 
OFTHE South" — TheBattle of Atlanta— Sanitary Fairs — 
Mrs. Bickerdyke's Influence — The March to the Sea — 
Wilmington — Prisoners from Florence and Anderson- 
viLLE — The Campaign of the Carolinas — " Bummers" — 
Kilpatrick's Cavalrymen — Beaufort — The Cows Review 
— On Board the River Queen. 




NWARD swept the conquering 
army, driving the Confederates 
from their fortified positions. Cass- 
ville, Allatoona, and Dallas were 
taken, one by one, during the latter 
part of May, and the first days of June 
found the Union sc^ldiers strong and 
ambitious, and still advancing against 
their foes, who had retreated to the 
famous heights of Kenesaw Mountain. Although 
so glorious, the costs of their triumj^hs demand a tear, 
for besides the vast numbers who had been left sleep- 
ing their last sleep in the lonely, ravaged woodlands, 
no less than 13,000 had been wounded, and most of 
(124) 



Kenesaw Mountain. 125 

these lay languishing in the rude tents of the field 
hospitals, still within hearing of the ceaseless sounds 
of battle. 

The early summer was not distinguished by balmy 
weather and blue skies, such as usuall}' render that 
season so delightful, yet little restraint was imposed 
upon the progress of victory. Ere the Fourth of 
July permitted every loyal heart to swell with the joy of 
again celebrating the anniversary of our national in- 
dependence, the star-spangled banner floated upon 
the peaks of Kenesaw and Lost Mountains, planted 
there by the gallant Fe.leral soldiers. They had also 
captured Marietta, and were pursuing their antago- 
nists southward toward the Chattahoochee River. 

While the weeks were passing, the scenes by which 
Mrs. Bickerdyke was surrounded became more pain- 
ful and trying every day. Sunstroke and fever added 
their victims to the many who were brought w oundcd 
to the tents and buildings used as hospitals. A large 
number were sent to their homes and to various mili- 
tary hospitals in the North, as soon as they could be 
moved with safety; but so continuous and fierce were 
the conflicts at the front, that the labors of the sur- 
geons and nurses, engaged in the field hospitals, were 
not diminished. 

At Marietta Mrs. Bickerdyke assisted in organizing 
a hospital large enough to accommodate i,8oo 
wounded men, who were lying upon the ground, ex- 
posed to the burning summer heats, and malarial 
night dews. Dr. A. Goslin, late surgeon 48th Illinois 
Volunteers, who had charge of this, the 15th A. C. 



126 Mother Bickerdyke. 

field hospital, says: " Her services were simply in- 
dispensable. I could not have conducted it without 
her." 

Here two very interesting patients were placed un- 
der her care. They had been nick-named " the twins," 
because their friendship was so remarkably deep ; and 
also, " the babies," on account of their extremely 
helpless condition. One had lost his leg, and the 
other was stricken with fever. Side by side they lay 
in their narrow cots, offering mutual comfort and as- 
sistance, in a manner so feeble and weak that the 
sight was most pathetic. It appealed strongly to Mrs. 
Bickerdyke's maternal sympathies, and she became 
indeed a mother to the " poor, helpless boys," as she 
called them. Their youthful faces, so pitifully thin 
and worn from suffering, beamed with smiles at her 
approach, and " Mother Bickerdyke" was constantly 
among the words which they murmured to each 
other. 

Nelson Hemplemen, the one afflicted with fever, 
succumbed to the disease, dying like some fl(nver cut 
off by that Southern blight, which destroyed so many 
in those terrible summers of the war. The other, 
whose name was J. S. Eastwood, recovered through 
Mrs. Bickerdyke's tender devotion, which had also 
soothed his comrade during wearisome days of pain, 
to the very hour of his death. Mr. Eastwood's grati- 
tude to her knew no bounds, and through all the years 
that have come and gone since, he has remained one 
of her most sincere friends. He describes some of 
her noble self-sacrifices enthusiastically: — 



Mrs. Bicker dyke's Influence. 127 

" I have known Mother Bickerdyke to come to our 
ward long after midnight, for the purpose of reHeving 
a suffering soldier who was bleeding to death while 
the doctors and nurses were wrapt in slumber. They 
drew their pay whether awake or asleep, so would 
sleep on unless called, but she was ever alert to catch 
the faintest sound of distress, and to her timely ef- 
forts many of my comrades are indebted for their 
lives." 

The wonderful oven, the great laundry, and the 
brave, cheerful woman who presided over them, be- 
sides nursing as many of the sick and wounded as 
though she did nothing else, became more widely 
known and appreciated every day. A soldier could 
not be met who had neither seen nor heard of 
Motlier Bickerdyke. She was in the midst of her 
duties, and still they kept accumulating around her 
in such multitudes that one less courageous would 
have been dismayed. 

Across the landscapes glimmering in the heat, the 
frowning defenses of Atlanta were seen. General 
Sherman's valiant soldiers, determined to take this 
"Gate City of the South," besieged it night and day. 
Shells and balls were poured into the streets without 
intermission, and the buildings frequently catching 
fire, blackened the sultry air with clouds of smoke that 
seemed ominous of its doom. 

The field hospital in the vicinity covered thirty 
acres of ground, and sheltered thousands of sick and 
wounded men. Throughout the long summer, from 
dawn, when the blazing day-star made every cloud 



128 Mother Bicker dykk. 

blush and disappear, to the sunset hour, others still 
were brought in to increase the lists of patients, and 
swell the cares of those who attended upon them- 
Faithful watchers grew tired and faint at their duty, 
through the long, oppressive heat of day, which was 
diminished so little by the coming of night, that the 
difference was scarcely perceptible. Yet Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke w as able to continue her work with unflagging 
energy. The good she did can never be fully known, 
nor adequately r warded, for she saved to the Govern- 
ment not only thousands of dollars, but the lives of 
many brave soldjcrs. What she restored to yearning 
and waiting hearts, and to whom she preserved the 
joy of life and health, only the countless numbers 
who possess these blessings through her toil and self- 
sacrifice can estimate. 

It would be fruitless to attempt a description of all 
that is worthy of note in her devotion to the private 
soldiers; and the past proves that she was as constant 
and faithful in her labors for the officers as she was 
to her favoritesr. 

A young corporal, Alvin Wait, of Company D, 
127th Illinois Volunteers Infantry, may be remem- 
bered as one whose life she saved at Marietta. He 
was placed in a ward appropriated to those who were 
mortally wounded. This promising young man of 
twenty years lay crushed and half unconscious, await- 
ing only the relief which death brings, when Mrs. 
Bickerdyke came to him, and applied every means of 
healing known to her skill. Recollections of her are 
clearly defined among the misty visions which con- 



Lives Savf.d. 129 

nect themselves with the hours of agony he endured 
there. Her kind face came and went like that of 
some visitant from the realms of hope and peace, 
bringing with her the life-giving essence of her native 
climes. She was untiring in her efforts to relieve the 
sufferings of even those who had been marked by the 
destroying angel for his own, and, as in this instance, 
she often snatched, before his sweeping sickle fell, 
what others had deemed impossible to save from his 
garner. 

A detailed description of interesting scenes and 
occurrences that took place in these abodes of suffer- 
ing, would fill volumes. The most quaint and ro- 
mantic circumstances arose to engage the attention 
of those who might be observant of such things; 
while others were so sad and terrible that tears wrung 
from the very heart's core seemed vain emblems of 
the sorrow which they only half expressed. Although 
Mrs.Bickerdyke witnessed these cruel sights day in 
and day out through continuous months, she never 
became hardened in the least with regard to them. 
Her sympathies were always as delicately sensitive 
to the pathetic and touching incidents constantly 
arising, as though they had been rare, and those ten- 
der chords that vibrate in response to another's woe, 
seldom awakened. 

The 22d of July was distinguished by the battle of 
Atlanta. Strong Confederate forces attacked boldly 
and repeatedly the Army of the Tennessee, then 
commanded by General McPherson. During the 
conflict, which lasted from noon until late in the sul- 
9 



130 Mother Bickerdyke. 

try summer night, the fighting was fierce, and the 
slaughter terrible. This engagement resulted in a 
repulse of the enemy, but victory was gained at a 
fearful cost. General McPherson, who was one of 
the most noble and highly admired men in the Union 
Army, was killed while riding at some distance ahead 
of his staff and orderlies. He was passing through a 
dense grove and coming suddenly upon an ambus- 
cade of the enemy was shot dead. Beside this loss, 
hundreds of brave soldiers fell, following their leader 
fearlessly into the " valley of the shadow." 

General Logan who assumed command of the 
Army of the Tennessee, was fully competent to per- 
form the responsible duties thus suddenly thrust upon 
him; and as this army fouL;ht the battle almost un- 
aided, the victory was to him a gallantly-won laurel 
set with glory which adds greatly to the luster of his 
fame. While he was pressing on to triumph in the 
field of action, the promising young General McPher- 
son lay cold and still upon a rude bier in the Howard 
House. But here no solemn hush prevailed out of 
respect to the presence of the honored dead, for many 
shots from the scene of strife struck the building and 
threatened its destruction. For this reason General 
Sherman ordered the body to be taken for immedi- 
ate safety to the hospital, and so it became Mrs. 
Bickerdyke's duty to compose the handsome features 
of this young man thus cruelly blasted by death in 
the splendor of his prime. 

Gently she closed his eyes in his last sleep. Her 
pity went forth to that mother so soon to be stricken 



The March to the Sea. 131 

with grief. With thoughtful tenderness she selected 
some relic which she knew would be treasured by one 
who had loved him so fondly. The coat he had worn 
was pierced by the ball that had taken his life, and 
was stained with his heart's blood; so she washed it 
with her own hands and sent it with a message to his 
bereaved mother by a soldier who was going directly 
to her home in Clyde, Ohio. 

In the autumn, General Sherman decided to sever 
all connection with his base and undertake the grand 
march to the sea. Extraordinary efforts were made 
to select for this expedition only such soldiers as 
were able-bodied, experienced, and capable of vigor- 
ous action. The sick and wounded were sent to 
Chattanooga and to other military hospitals further 
north, or to their homes. Mrs. Bickerdyke remained 
upon the scene of her labors until the very night of 
the evacuation of Atlanta by the Union army. Trees 
and intervening hills shut away from her view the 
hideous sight of its destruction; yet the sounds of 
bursting shells came faintly to her ears, recalling the 
conflicts that had raged there all through the sultry 
summer; and a glare of lurid light fringed the hori- 
zon in its direction with an angry line of red. Above 
the smouldering ruins a huge column of black smoke 
hung like a pall, and thus the doomed city faded 
from view. Those who had conquered and crushed it 
marched on with shouts and martial music. Mingling 
with these spirited strains, the voices of 60,000 veterans 
swelled in the measures of their favorite battle 
songs. The strong and thrilling notes reverberated 



132 Mother Bickerdyke. 

through the hills of Georgia, as the legion swept 
on, feasting upon the garnered stores of their foes, 
whose bosoms they filled with terror and dismay. 

Away from the forests and cities, marked by the 
devastation of war, Mrs. Bickerdyke traveled, her 
mind still busy with plans for the future She had 
grown thin, and her countenance revealed less of 
freshness and color than perfect health always gives 
The hard and wearing toils and the desperate scenes 
of strife which had so lately marked her experience 
already began to slumber in her memory with the 
softened and dissolving outlines that characterize 
dreams. Clear sunlight and^the bracing Northern air, 
sharp and pure with the breath of autumnal frost, 
gave her an undefined feeling of exhilaration, which 
made the prospect before her seem one brilliant vision 
of promise. 

She went to Philadelphia where she obtained large 
supplies of sanitary goods, and to numerous smaller 
cities for the purpose of collecting still more. These 
she distributed to soldiers in military hospitals, and 
to those in winter quarters who were frequently as 
much in want of them as the helpless sufferers lying 
in hospital wards. 

The first great Sanitary Fair, held in Chicago, dur- 
ing the fall of 1863, had been discussed in every paper 
and periodical. It had awakened enthusiasm through- 
out the whole North, for its success had resulted in 
larger benefits to the sanitary cause, than even its 
most sanguine well-wishers had anticipated. Contri- 
butions had poured in from places far and near all 



The Sanitary Fair. 133 

over the Union. The procession that had formed to 
dehver gifts on the opening day was estimated to 
be over three miles in length. 

Rare and priceless treasures were lent for the 
adornment of this fair, and the numerous others that 
followed it, making the departments unique and fas- 
cinating with a splendor that might rival the oriental 
magnificence of a Turkish palace. All that the most 
successful business ability, and woman's matchless 
power, could do, was done to promote the success of 
this patriotic undertaking. 

The gift which perhaps was the most remarkable 
and far reaching in its results was the original draught 
of the Proclamation of Emancipation from President 
Lincoln. This precious document, bestowed by that 
hand which was always stretched forth in behalf of 
justice and humanity, was sold for $3,000. A worthy 
use was made of this sum, for it proved to be a 
golden magnet that soon attracted to itself enough 
to build the Home for Illinois soldiers. 

By means of this fair the marvelous sum of nearly 
$100,000 was obtained, to be distributed through the 
Northwestern Branch of the Sanitary Commission. 
Besides, it proved a conspicuous example, which 
prompted efforts of the same kind in co ntless other 
places, where the fairs were upon a scale in keeping 
with the number of the inhabitants, and the amount of 
good done by them was large. In this way a pleas- 
ant source of profit was made the means of recre- 
ation that could be enjoyed with sentiments of char- 
ity and patriotism. 



134 Mother Bickerdyke. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke was very influential in assisting 
and stimulating the people who made efforts of this 
kind to serve our country. Little fairs were held in 
church parlors, and in appropriate halls hired for the 
purpose. Young girls, in their costumes of bright 
wool, wore picturesque aprons of lawn and lace, tied 
with coquettish bows, knotted of ribbons of red, white, 
and blue. They brought cups of fragrant coffee 
about upon trays, in the center of which were piled 
pyramids of delicious sandwiches and crisp cakes. 
Offering these refreshments to the guests, they accu- 
mulated little heaps of small change in the place of 
their dainties. The fair tables were attractive on 
these occasions, being decorated with flags, and cov- 
ered with an indescribable mass of useful and orna- 
mental things, but the pretty girl who dealt in these 
articles seemed to influence trade more than her 
wares. Like the English beauty who sold a rose for 
a sovereign, the maid at a table often held out some 
brilliant scarf or soft handkerchief, and obtained for 
it ten times as much as its intrinsic value. Perhaps 
her winning smile, or sweetly expressed explanation 
as to the object of its price, opened the purse strings 
of some penurious old person who would not have 
thought of buying under other circumstances. 

Many leisure hours and long evenings were spent 
by active young girls in preparing salable articles for 
these fairs. Afternoons were passed by little compa- 
nies of them, engaged upon the same kind of work, 
and when a fair was held, their blooming faces and 
joyous spirits contributed not a little to the succes 



At thk Fairs. 135 

of the enterprise. Here, at least, all fun-loving beings 
found a welcome, and they held high carnival. Shin- 
ing coins and crumpled notes slipped through their* 
rosy fingers, giving them as much pleasure, appar- 
ently, as though designed for symbols of their inno- 
cent witchery, as well as the hard-earned price of 
their generous work. If the boys who wore the blue 
could have known how enthusiastic were those patri- 
otic women to help and comfort them amid their 
hardships, it would have brightened many a dark 
hour with pleasurable thoughts. Gain for them was 
to these merry girls the cap sheaf of success. The 
fairest one among them, however bright her glance 
and captivating her smile, could scarcely compete 
with Mother Bickerdyke in this vivacious and good- 
natured rivalry. Her fame was a spell which few 
could resist, and if it did not prove the "open ses- 
ame" to noble and generous sentiments, her stirring 
words, and the sight of her countenance, animated 
with earnest and cheerful expressions, obtained what 
other influences failed to procure. By sjmc mysteri- 
ous means, she always possessed a reserve store of 
whatever was necessary in her work, and so never 
lost an opportunity of helping those who needed her 
aid. 

Winter came, and the frost sprites wrought their 
usual change in the landscapes, covering them with a 
mantle as pure and light as ermine, and by their 
elfish strategeins, driving every one to the glowing 
fireside. Mingled with the enchanting fairy tales and 
legendary lore, which the holiday season revives each 



136 



Mother Bickerdvke. 



. General ShermalTmirch to 2"' '""" '""'°'' "( 
.magery of the Arabian N u ''''■ ^'^= d«^^"ng 

"-h" might listen to a'cc^ll. /"'^ "^""'^"'^^ 'hose 
--e engrossing interes h °. i"^ "■°"''^^> -'h a 
triumphant expedition " "' '"^ "-- of this 

The march throuo-h r^ 
-■^ "- cit, of Sava nah Tk-"" ' "'"' ^^^-^ 
-aters of the broad Atla^u c "'' °"' °" '"^ ■^■"^ 
'he gallant United Sta es i r ' '" P°=^e^-''on of 
"hoed through the! tVa'dt ^"'°" ^'^e^s 
°f 'he national ensign waved ' ''"''' '"" ^'"P" 
Southern breeze. °"<=e more on the 

B.c!^t,;re"af :'ra;ef r:- jr--^ ^^^-^^ ^^ Mr. 

chosen fields. She >ven' ^ ^ ''" ^S^in to her 

-'J h- thence L^Zr^T^'j, '° ^^^ ^o^-^' 
he stalely groves and broads. ''' "'>ere, amid 

'-"'. brave men were a' , J'"""' °'^" ""'"^"^iy ^ 
P™°-'- Her helpful iJXa''";" '" ''°^P'''^'' ^-nd 
«■"•>! these unfam liar I 1 f; "''''=^' °"' '°'hem 
'hriee weleome Dn>' hW . "' °" '"" ^«°""' -as 
^ea and made the long, c^een mo '7"' "^ ''°'" '^e 
aged oaks, seem like StCd , . " """= '° 'he 
How d,fferent was this f ^tf T '^^^-^'-"e-l crape. 
-h.ch she had left, al eri o a !" ""'''"'' '"•" ^°"='ts 
tons of crystalline frost he w ■'P''>''kh",? >viih mi I- 
The joys of home t fc"'^ ^"'^ ?'"'---,, icicles! ' 
exchanged for the gloom In ~"P=""""'h;p she had 



The March Through Georgia. 137 

dispersed by the grateful words and looks of those to 
whom she ministered. Besides, her motive, the same 
as theirs, was to assist in conquering the Rebellion. 

At Wilmington she took care of a large number of 
Union soldiers who had been rescued from Ander- 
sonville and Florence prisons^ The fearful sufferings 
of the captives at Andersonville have been so graph- 
ically described, that to recount their misfortunes or 
delineate their horrible tr als, seems an unnecessary 
task. Men, weakened in body from starvation and 
confinement in a noisome atmosphere, become as 
much altered in their minds and dispositions as they 
are physically changed. They grow as fretful and 
peevish as little children, and lose all idea of the 
relative importance of things. When hungry and 
weary, Esau exchanged his birthright for a mess of 
pottage; and, like him, they frequently attribute value 
to what is of little importance, while the ruling aims 
of life may be lost sight of altogether. Considering 
this, it is remarkable, that so few forgot the exalted 
motives that made them don the blue and follow 
their country's flag into the perils of civil warfare. 
Though tempted by such invitations and bribes as 
they were least able to withstand, they continued 'o 
sink in weakness and pain with the jewel of honor 
still bright and untarnished upon their bosoms. 

Professor John G. Lemmon, formerly of the ist 
Michigan Cavalry, and A\'ho has since become noted 
as a botanist in California, was one of the 1 1,000 
Union soldiers confined in Florence Prison, South 
Carolina. He pictures the woes that fell to their 



138 Mother Bickerdyke. 

lot as only one who has shared such misery could. 
The crowded and half-starved men were entirely ex- 
posed to the weather, and often had to pace all 
night the narrow limits of the space to which they 
were restrained, to keep from freezing. 

A description of their ragged and soiled garments, 
of their poor mud hovels, and of their scanty food, 
makes a painful story indeed; but the most cruel feat- 
ures of their misfortunes were the tauntings and 
temptations to which they were subjected. Their 
jailers came to them each day with such words as 
these: — 

" Are you hungry ? Look at me, and say whether 
you would like to eat such food as I do or not ? Are 
you cold ? Look at my warm clothes and tell me 
how a rig of this kind would suit you ? Outside the 
gates the air is sweet and fresh; and there is plenty 
to eat and to wear. Only take the oath of allegiance 
to the Confederacy, and freedom is yours." 

He who could not be enticed by such allurements, 
when so miserably reduced in all temporal conditions, 
as these men were, is trul}' like gold that has been 
tried in the fire. 

Among such sufferers, weak and emaciated in btKJy, 
and feeble in mind, so far as petty annoyances were 
concerned, Mrs. 13ickcrdyke was a pillar of strength. 
Besides she moved among them like a mother, re- 
garding as tenderly their fretful desires, and respond- 
ing as patiently to their groundless complaints. 

General Sherman's army was moving northward 
through the Carolinas, while the cities trembled at 



Through the Carolinas. 139 

its approach. Penetrating drizzles kept the ground 
muddy, and made the air damp and unhealthful; yet 
the soldiers advanced rapidly. Day after day Kil- 
patrick's daring cavalry and a strong skirmish line, 
protected warily the moving legions from surprise. 
The army baffled the Confederates in every attempt 
made to retard or check their progress. Dense jun- 
gles, watery marshes, and swollen rivers, all inter- 
cepted their chosen pathway; but the obstacles which 
nature placed before them, were overcome as success- 
fully as those interposed by the stubborn and despair- 
ing enemy. Flooded swamps and treacherous quick- 
sands were impotent to hinder them from reaching 
the guarded cities, and fortified camps; and when 
these places were approached, the Southern armies 
were unable to hold them against such irresistible 
forces. The Union artillery and musketry poured 
forth their iron and leaden hail only at the command 
of victory; and the sulphurous fire and smoke rose 
ever as incense to thc^triumphant republic. 

Beaufort, which was taken by General Sherman in 
the early part of February, 1865, received many of 
the Federal soldiers, who were wounded or disabled; 
and to this place ]\frs. Bickerdyke came from Wil- 
mington. She took chaige of one of the largest 
military hospitals that the place contained; and here 
her usual routine of labor was pursued, blessing those 
who occupied the numerous wards. Situated in the 
midst of a hostile people, as they were, groundless 
rumors and false excitem.ents penetrated even the 
hospitals. Mrs. Bickerdyke's commanding presence 



140 Mother Bickerdyke. 

could immediately soothe the agitation of all the pa- 
tients under her charge. Every thought she gave to 
them, and she seemed possessed of the power of an 
enchantress when it was necessary to meet any peril 
or emergency. She remained here until she had ac- 
complished a vast amount of work. Only a short 
time was she permitted to enjoy the results of her 
achievements; for the dark pines and overflowing 
rivers in the vicinity of Beaufort had not yet begun 
to show the influence of approaching spring, when 
she was again called to new and different scenes. 

General Sherman, with his army, had been engaged 
about Columbia and Cheraw, where daring feats and 
decisive victories made his course brilliant. He took 
possession of these places, and advanced on Fayette- 
ville and Goldsboro'. 

The battle of Averysboro' was fought on the 15th 
and 1 6th days of March, 1865. Heavy rains fell 
until the battle was nearly ended. After nightfall, 
upon the 1 6th, the Confederates, under General 
Hardee, retreated from the field. Strewn promis- 
cuously over the wet and bloody ground, the Northern 
and Southern soldiers lay side by side. All surgical 
operations necessary were performed by surgeons of 
the Union army, for the injured men who had fallen 
from the enemy's ranks, and who had been deserted 
by their vanquished comrades. Nearly 500 of the 
victors had received wounds, and they were placed 
in ambulances that accompanied the army trains. 
The United States forces were marching on toward 
their objective point, which was Goldsboro.' 



Meeting Johnston at Bentonville. 141 

Upon the 19th of March, General Johnston's army 
was met near Bentonville, and an engagement took 
place, resembling, in most particulars, that of Averys- 
boro' — even to the rain, which poured down upon the 
combatants; yet the fighting here was much heavier, 
and when the Confederates beat their retreat, there 
were more than 1,000 Union soldiers wounded. These 
were taken to Goldsboro' by the veterans, who could 
now enter, without further resistance, the captured 
city. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke followed the army, stopping wher- 
ever the wounded were left, and doing for them what 
she had done for innumerable soldiers since the fall 
of Sumter called the people of the United States to 
arms. Through the "sunny air of returning spring 
came harbingers of peace. The gloomy war clouds 
were rifted here and there, and dazzling rainbows 
arched over the dark and blood-stained regions that 
had been subdued by the conquerors. * 

Although the soldiers under General Sherman had 
just finished a march of more than 400 miles, the 
distance which they had traversed since leaving Sav- 
annah, and though many battles had been fought 
and swollen rivers crossed in wintry weather, they 
were strong and well, seeming to have had much 
keen and exciting enjoyment. Now and then the 
lively voice of some soldier whom Mrs. Bickerdyke 
had met before, would greet her heartily. Then he 
would proceed to interest her with a friendly account 
of the adventures which had befallen him since leav- 
ing Atlanta. Among the most interesting were the 



142 Mother Bickerdyke. 

ludicrous anecdotes related of the " bummers." 
Much curiosity had been excited about them, by re- 
ports received through the Southern press, some of 
which were true, while others were slanderous, or 
altogether fictitious. To Sherman's armies these 
men were very useful all along the course of their 
famous marches. 

When the anxious North had supposed the invad- 
ers to be starving, these jovial men had be:n resorting 
to all sorts of devices in order to collect food and 
forage. In little companies they left their regiments 
at dawn, and usually returned before dark, mounted 
upon horses, loaded with provisions of every kind. 
The army was well supplied, so that, in this respect, 
the expedition resembled a prolonged picnic. Deli- 
cious hams and fat turkeys were not rare; and they 
were none the less palatable from having been cooked 
over a bivouac fire, after a long day's march in the 
wintry air. 

Kilpatrick's cavalrymen als > had most interesting 
incidents to relate. The men mounted their horses 
and sped over the roads fearlessly, although they were 
subjected to constant perils, being so much feared and 
detested by the population of the South. But to Gen- 
eral Sherman, these gallant riders were valuable be- 
yond measure. Many a Southern housewife has seen 
her store of ham and flour, which she had concealed 
with so much art and toil in secret places, discovered 
as readily by these foragers as if they knew from in- 
stinct where such things were to be found. The arti- 
cles were taken to supply the army, or destroyed be- 



Successful Raids. 143 

fore her eyes, if it was not possible to carry them 
away. 

Frequently while riding gaily along in the woods, 
a rifle ball would come whistling through the branches 
from a marksman hidden at no great distance. If 
it chanced to miss them all, they would put spurs to 
their horses' sides and soon be out of range. Surpris- 
ing and destroying the Confederate wagon trains was 
also a lively and hazardous part of their duties; for 
the sturdy drivers sometimes made a desperate at- 
tempt to defend the property in their charge. 

There was so much enterprise and action in those 
stirring times that every day was crowded with events. 
The'gallant horsemen soon acquired a taste for ad- 
venture, and were proud of their position. They 
moved rapidly from point to point, performing feats 
of daring that kept them constantly filled with excite- 
ment. Now they scattered along a river course to 
find a suitable place for the engineers to lay their pon- 
toon bridges; and next they dashed down upon a 
mountain pass and seized it for the army. 

A crisis was approaching in the campaign of the 
Carolinas. General Grant with his powerful legions 
was pressing the Confederate leader, Lee, to his last 
resources; and it was thought that he would join Gen- 
eral Johnston's shattered and discouraged columns in 
North Carolina, and, thus strengthened, turn upon 
General Sherman's forces! Great excitement pre- 
vailed among the latter while they were making ready 
for a final struggle. Soon the army was in a superb 
condition. The infantry were noticeable for their 



144 Mother Bickerdyke. 

bright uniforms and shining bayonets; the cavalry, 
for their sleek and glossy charges; and the officers 
were splendid with their new and brilliant trappings. 

An unusual tone of gaiety began to steal over the 
entire army. Comrades seemed to realize for the 
first time that the grim spirit of war was vanishing 
from the land, like mist before the morning sunbeams; 
and, with light hearts, they gathered around the biv- 
ouac fires, discussing the terrible past and the bright- 
ening future, with unwonted zest. The conflict sup- 
posed to be approaching was so uncertain that it only 
added a keen interest to the present, leaving out that 
poignant suspense which steals into the secret re- 
cesses of every heart on the eve of battle. All mirth 
had a genuine ring in it, such as before had been a 
rarity. The friends whom Mrs. Bickerdyke had won 
sought her persistently, and told her, with untiring 
interest, of their homes and future plans. To such 
disclosures she listened with a willingness that 'was 
more than courteous, for it displayed as beautifully 
her deep maternal love for those brave young veter- 
ans as did her midnight watches over them when 
they had lain wounded in frail hospital tents. 

Her countenance was often radiant with bright and 
spirited expressions, while she joined in the merri- 
ment of lively groups, that delighted to interest her 
with their jovial amusements. 

Some soldiers in fresh uniforms, bright with bur- 
nished buttons, waited upon her one sunny morning, 
and tendered her a review. She donned her bonnet 
with a smile, and permitted herself to be stationed in 



The Cows' Review. 145 

an elevated and suitable place. Then the fine old 
cows, which had supplied them with milk, filed past 
her. Each one had been curried until her coat was 
as smooth and glossy as satin. 

Their horns fairly glittered from being polished, 
and their hoofs had been blackened and brushed until 
they were as bright as patent leather. The favorites 
were decked with little flags, and a lively march was 
played as the queer ranks moved along, with now and 
then a mellow low, and a restive break in the lines, 
made by some mild-eyed creature that appeared to 
delight in keeping to herself the constant attention of 
the jolly veterans. 

Many of these cows had traveled a great distance 
with the army. All the way along the marches from 
Atlanta, cattle had been taken from their native past- 
ures and driven with the provision trains to supply 
milk and beef The fine, gentle milch cows were a 
treasure to Mrs. Bickerdyke, enabling her to make 
custards and such delicacies for the patients, at times 
when it would have been impossible to obtain appe- 
tizing food for them, and this boyish prank, the cows' 
reviezv, was a pleasant tribute, which she greatly 
enjoyed. 

The eyes of friends did not look upon her always 
with the twinkling glance of mirth, or the earnest ex- 
pression of those who sought her sympathy. Many 
discerned the altered and careworn look, which was 
most noticeable upon her countenance when her feat- 
ures were in repose. Silvery gleams of gray were far 
more numerous in her heavy hair than they had been 
lO 



146 Mother Bickerdyke. 

a few short seasons ago. A peculiar curve had been 
wrought in her cheek and lip by her long association 
with the wounded and dying. 

She had looked on death in the crimsoned field, 

Where the soldiers lay as they fell. 
'Neath clouds of sulphurous smoke she had kneeled 

On fragments of splintered shell; 

And the scene had lent to her cheerful face, 

An expression new and grave, 
Which had given to it the lines of grace, 

That beautify the brave. 

Amid these closing scenes she unconsciously irrir 
pressed all who saw her with her courage and san- 
guine temper, when opposite feelings might be ex- 
pected. She was neither stern nor sad, though she 
had toiled constantly, and endured so much with no 
reward except the gratitude of the soldiers; and tho 
consciousness that she had performed a part, which 
had not been ineffectual in helping to restore the 
Union to its pristine glory. 

While preparations were being made to drive the 
Confederates even from the "last ditch" which they 
had vaunted to hold in spite of Providence, the great 
men of the nation were conferring with each other 
upon the momentous questions of the hour. Generals 
Grant and Shennan frequently met, anil together 
visited the President, on board the River Queen, near 
City Point. In the elegant cabin of this steamer 
words were spoken that equaled thf)se uttered in earlier 
centuries by the oracles of Egypt or Rome. Here 
President Lincoln's great and noble heart revealed it- 
self to the whole republic. His advice and dictates 
were not only fraught with far-reaching wisdom, but 



The Closing Scenes of War. 147 

were so humane that something of a divine spirit 
seemed interwoven with them. From his position 
upon the loftiest summit to which the statesman may 
aspire, he used his influence to elevate the lowly; 
and was not only generous to the rebellious people, 
who had no alternative except to surrender upon his 
own terms, but was to them most lenient and mag- 
nanimous. 



Gl2^E-T-El? ^11, 



Lee's Surrender — Mourning for PresidentLincoln— Mother 

BiCKERDYKE UPON HER HORSE— ThE LoNG BRIDGE — A SUPERB 

Pageant— The Grand Review of General Sherman's 
Army — The Calico Dress and Sunbonnet — Through the 
Golden Days of June — In the South and West — Dis- 
charged — Soldiers at Chicago — Assistance in Procuring 
Pensions — At Topeka — The Presidio — Our Honored 
Dead — The Soliders' Mother. 




PRIL sunshine touched with glisten- 
ing luster the budding foliage of the 
woods, and crowned every ripple of 
the rivers and streams with diamond 
coronets. Nature smiled with the 
usual beauty of spring-time, in spite 
of the cruel ravages of war; and, 
like her, Mrs. Bickerdyke appeared 
as hopeful and energetic as if the 
long years of strife and bloodshed had not made 
her weary and worn. 

The ancient dame would be rewarded for the sun- 
shine she scattered by a bountiful harvest. But Mrs. 
Bickerdyke's deeds of kindness would be recom- 
(148) 



The Fall of Richmond. 149 

pensed only with the friendship and gratitude of those 
whom she had comforted. The fruits of her labor 
were not material riches; and to her, victory offered 
no laurels and gold lace. 

During this time, General Sheridan's famous cav- 
alry had cut off all supplies from the city of Rich- 
mond, where the larger part of the Confederate forces 
were stationed under the command of General Lee. 
On the 2d day of April, 1865, this impenetrable strong- 
hold was evacuated during the night, which was made 
hideous by the lurid flames, kindled in the heart of 
the ill-fated city. General Grant had just carried the 
defensive works of Petersburg by a spirited assault, 
and upon the next day the United States soldiers 
entered this captured city and the smouldering ruins 
of Richmond. 

The Rebellion lasted but a short time longer. All 
of the most powerful armies of the Union were con- 
verging towards the exhausted and discouraged Con- 
federate veterans, who were reduced in numbers, and 
desperate for want of supplies. Though they re- 
sisted valiantly, fighting with fierce energy, and burn- 
ing the bridges that spanned the Appomattox River, 
as they retreated toward North Carolina, their efforts 
were all in vain. General Sheridan, who had won 
such splendid laurels in the valley of the Shenandoah, 
rendered General Grant great assistance. By brilliant 
fighting, and rapid and vigorous movements, he suc- 
ceeded in cutting off Lee's supplies, and capturing 
his half-demoralized divisions. The mighty army 
of the Potomac gained some new advantage over the 



150 Mother Bickerdyke. 

Confederates with each succeeding day, and the utter 
uselcssness of a further struggle on their side soon 
became apparent. 

Events crowded upon each other with startHng ra- 
pidity. The sweet bells of Palm Sunday, ringing 
through the fresh spring atmosphere, sounded the 
knell of the Confederacy, that had long been tottering 
to its fall. Now this dream of a Southern empire, 
which had kindled the flame of selfish ambition in 
unnumbered bosoms, and cost a million of lives, dis- 
solved like some ghostly fantasy. 

Upon this day, the 9th of April, 1865, the iron- 
souled General Lee, who had fought with such inflex- 
ible energy and skill for the losing cause, surrendered 
his arm\' to General Grant, our nation's greatest hero. 
They met in Appomattox Court House, where the 
terms of the surrender were discussed and settled. 
The news of this tremendous event was borne through 
the land on the wings of lightning, filling it with the 
greatest joy and excitement. Cities and towns were 
thronged with people, who expressed their feelings 
in prolonged shouts, and by the thunder of artillery, 
wliich reverberated over mountains and plains, awak- 
ening ceaseless echoes. At night the country vied 
with the starry hosts of heaven in the number of 
bonfires spangling it throughout. They blazed in 
every loyal city and town, and upon the farms and 
ranches even to the most rem te, which had been 
reached by the grand tidings. 

The civil war was regarded as at an end. No more 
would the dreadful bloodshed and devastation which 



Assassination of President Lincoln. 151 

it had caused, continue to make home a place of deso- 
lation, and fill the land with soldiers' graves. Yet the 
nation's cup of bitterness had not been drained to the 
dre^s, until President Lincoln died at the hands of 
an assassin, a martyr's death. 

Where now were the bursts of delight that had 
filled the air with music, and unfurled ten thousand 
flags upon every breeze? The gorgeous stars and 
stripes were lowered in mourning, and the black sign 
of lamentation draped the whole United States, from 
ocean to ocean. This sad event was truly an afflic- 
tion to the entire republic; and the solemn beat of 
muffled drums sounded in unison with the sorrow so 
deeply and so widely felt in the hearts of the people- 
While these important historical events were tak- 
ing place, Mrs. Bickerdyke was still engaged in her 
noblo work. Whether national joy or sorrow pre- 
vailed to awaken her patriotic feelings, there was al- 
ways enough to keep her willing hands and heart en- 
gaged among the soldiers, who needed the care of 
relatives and friends, from whom they were widely 
separated. 

Like a true veteran, she adapted herself to all 
places with ease; and seemed undisturbed by any 
change, being as much at home in a bare tent, or 
in a deserted house, as in a hospital, well organized, 
and supplied with sanitary stores. Her life was 
eventful, and although not so full of excitement, it 
resembled, in many particulars, that which she had 
experienced at Corinth. All her wishes and opinions 
were regarded with much consideration by the au- 



152 Mother Bickerdvke. 

thorities, and this greatly facilitated her power of do- 
'"g" good. Mounted upon a horse, which had been 
appropriated to her use, she was free to come and go 
anywhere within the Federal lines at pleasure. She 
might often be seen riding over the winding roads, or 
through the natural arbors of the woodlands, upon 
some bridle path. Now and then she returned the 
smiling salute of a soldier, as he passed loaded like 
an old-fashioned farmer with a basket of onions or 
eggs, or even with a lot of spring chickens, destined 
to broil over a bivouac fire. 

The armies were ordered to move from their pres- 
ent quarters on the 14th of April. They had already 
begun to advance, with the expectation of laying 
waste the central or the western parts of the State, 
when General Johnston surrendered his army to Gen- 
eral Sherman, and this decisive event ended the cam- 
paign of the Carolinas. 

Thereupon the armies of General Sherman were 
ordered to Alexandria. Mrs. Bickerdyke followed 
them there, and joined the 15th Army Corps on 
her arrival, at the request of General Logan. Again 
she clasped the friendly hand of many a soldier whom 
she had known at Vicksburg and Lookout Mountain. 
They had traveled far since those great battles had 
been fought. General O. O. Howard had succeeded to 
the command of the Army of the Tennessee, after the 
death of the brave McPherson. He led these daunt- 
less veterans from Atlanta over the hundreds of miles 
to the sea, and thence to North Carolina, all the way 
culling fresh laurels, ere the dew had ceased to sparkle 



The Army at Washington. 153 

upon those vvhich had just been gathered. After the 
surrender of General Johnston, he was summoned to 
Washington to take charge of an important bureau, 
and from that time the Army of the Tennessee was 
commanded by General Logan.' 

When peace was declared, the immense armies 
of General Sherman, in the vicinity of Washington* 
numbered 65,000 men. For months, this legion 
had subsisted principally upon the rebellious South; 
but now the cessation of hostilities suddenly checked 
this source of supplies. The Government had not 
yet been able to provide sufficient food for them, 
and they became short of rations. These strong, 
active men, living entirely in the open air, would 
miss keenly a meal at any time, and after spirited 
marches the lack of sufficient food made them ex- 
ceedingly uncomfortable and dissatisfied. Their dis- 
tress was greatly increased, because they could not 
learn how soon they were to be relieved from this 
predicament. The 15th Army Corps reached Alex- 
andria on the 19th of April, a beautiful spring Sab- 
bath; and there the men soon built cheerful camp- 
fires, and pitched their tents, or made themselves com- 
fortable in deserted houses. The smoke curled up in 
the sunshine, and beds of glowing coals shone red 
through the flames. But where could be found any- 
thing to broil, or roast in the whole encampment? 

Mrs. Bickerdyke appreciated fully the situation, and, 
as usual, was equal to the emergency. After several 
unavailing efforts to procure the desired provisions 
from the proper sources, she sent a telegram to the 



154 Mother Bickerdvke, 

Rev. Dr. Bellows, of New York, explaining to him 
their situation. 

At the time of its receipt he was in the pulpit of 
his church, and before him his large congregation was 
assembled, with the usual hush of peace that renders 
so impressive and e ifying the hour of divine worship. 
During a pause in his sermon a messenger came up 
the aisle and quietly gave him a small envelope which 
contained the simple words of Mrs. Bickerdyke, ap- 
pealing earnestly on behalf of the soldiers for food. 

Dr. Bellows read it to his audience, and they 
quick y responded to the call. A train was chartered 
immediately, and by four o'clock in the afternoon it 
was ready to start with an abundant supply of all 
that was needed to satisfy the hungry boys in blue. 
The telegram which heralded its arrival soon became 
known to the soldiers, and the news of what Mother 
Bickerdyke had done thrilled the whole encampment. 
Animation and happy expectations beamed from 
every sun-bronzed countenance; and the spirit of 
merriment prevailed, which found a climax when the 
provisions arrived, in national airs and grand old 
hymn tunes pla\'ed by the bands, and many ringing 
cheers. 

On Monday there was plenty, and as their delight- 
ful meals were discussed, Mrs. Bickerdyke was thanked 
and praised until her cheeks flushed and her eyes 
sparkled with pleasure. This wave of popularity 
was still bearing to '■ er feet new tributes of the gen- 
eral favor in which she was held, when the army was 
ordered to Washington for the grand review. The 



Provisions for the Soldiers. 155 

signal to march found the soldiers even more alert 
than usual. Their steps were as light and firm and 
their hearts beat as high with hope, as though the 
music of fife and drum had a power to inspire them 
like that which pealed from the shell of Orpheus. 
Every train steaming toward the capital bore friends 
and loved ones on the way to meet them there; and 
such pleasant anticipations filled every mind that the 
march of twelve miles from Alexandria was like go- 
ing to a festival. Mrs. Bickerdyke, mounted upon 
her glossy saddle horse, accompanied them. She 
wore her usual simple dress, which, at this warm sea- 
son, was of calico; and her clear eyes and serene 
countenance looked out from the depths of a com- 
fortable sunbonnet. Her face was as fair, and free 
from freckle or tan, as though she had never seen the 
brawny veterans who esteemed her so highly, nor 
toiled for them through the sunny weather of a South- 
ern spring. 

She crossed the Long Bridge in advance of the 15th 
Army Corps, and was met by the noted Dorothy 
Dix, and others, who welcomed her to the capital. 
This greeting to the soldiers' mother was indeed a 
triumph such as few women have ever merited or 
won. 

The streets now looked blue with the uniforms of 
moving thousands, for the grand review of the 
Army of the Potomac was now taking place. On- 
ward those glorious legions were sweeping, while the 
wise and brave of the land scanned them with admi- 
ration, and the world rejoiced. General Grant, their 



156 Mother Bickerdvke. 

great leader, whose star of fame now shone in the 
zenitli of glory, looked calmly upon the superb pa- 
geant; and those who had seen him at Shiloh and 
Vicksburg thought his expression as unperturbed 
then, amid those scenes of fury and bloodshed, as it 
was now, beholding the victorious forces that moved 
in glittering columns through avenues of light and 
music. 

That night the soldiers bivouacked in the streets 
of Washington, which gleamed far out into the sub- 
urbs with their myriad camp-fires. The 24th of 
April dawned clear and lovely. Stately trees held 
aloft their misty mantles of young leaves, and the air 
was fragrant with early flowers. The signal gun was 
fired at nine o'clock, and immediately the thorough- 
fares were filled with people in holiday attire. Dense 
masses of men, women, and children, all with glad, 
eager faces, stood in gardens and upon the streets, 
nearly obstructing the way. 

General Sherman with his staff, accompanied by 
General Howard, all mounted upon their handsome 
chargers, rode slowly down Pennsylvania Avenue, 
followed by General Logan and the 15 th Army Corps- 
Then came the other famous corps which had marched 
through Georgia to the sea, and swept the Carolinas 
like a storm. The columns, bright with blue and 
gold, moved in perfect concert. Above their heads a 
forest of polished bayonets caught the sunbeams, 
making a galaxy of light, which was relieved at in- 
tervals by their gorgeous silken flags that had been 
tattered and powder-stained in battle, and which were 
now garlanded with flowers. 



The Grand Review. 157 

Sharp swords flashed in the Hght, as the illustrious 
generals, who had just inscribed their names upon 
their country's history, saluted the president in true 
military style, as they passed the reviewing stand. 
Thousands of spectators scrutinized for hours the 
magnificentarmy of 65,000 veterans marching by them- 
They were fascinated with the spectacle of those 
vast walls of strength, bright with the trappings that 
graced the exultant hour of triumph. Gold fringes 
quivered from the epaulets of distinguished men, 
mounted upon war steeds, prancing and champing 
their silver bits. Then came the soldiers who had 
faced the flaming cannon, and the leaden hail of 
musketry. For these, cheer after cheer went up, 
while some, missing from the ranks the brave men 
who had fallen, dropped for them a tear. 

There were enlivening features, the baggage trains 
being represented by ambulances, followed by pack- 
mules, loaded with such things as hams, and festooned 
with carrot tops and onions, or perhaps bags of corn 
and cackling poultry formed the pack. Cattle lowed, 
as they followed in the train, and among them were 
the glossy milch cows, distinguished for having had 
their horns so brightly polished by the "jovial boys," 
in honor of Mother Bickerdyke. Negro women, lead- 
ing their children, who in turn led goats, ornamented 
with jingling bells, added variety. The corps of black 
pioneers at the heads of the divisions, carrying their 
axes and spades, marched in creditable style. The 
whole grand review was remarkable for the perfect 
discipline of the soldiers, and for the beauty and 



158 Mother Bickerdyke. 

strength of every detail, making it one of the great- 
est pageants ever beheld in America. 

During the weeks that followed this memorable 
day, the greater part of the army was disbanded. 
Still thousands remained, and among these Mrs. 
Bickerdyke found ample work, so she stayed in the 
vicinity, distributing stores and caring for the sick, 
just as she had been doing all though the spring. 
The popularity she had gained called forth much notice, 
from which she shrank with extreme modesty; and 
yet all of it she could not escape. She was treated 
with marked distinction on numerous occasions. 

The calico dress and sunbonnet which she had 
worn upon her arrival, were sold for $ioo, and pre- 
served as relics of the Rebellion. This sum of money 
melted from her hands almost in a day, for the "boys" 
needed so many things that she delighted to supply. 
General O. O. Howard remembers her at this time, 
and says, " I always heard her called, when spoken 
of, Mother Bickerdyke, the soldiers' friend. She was 
a woman of great energy of character, and successful 
in procuring from the people large supplies for the 
relief of the sick and wounded. Her labors were 
spoken of everywhere with kind words of praise and 
thankfulness." 

The work which Mrs. Bickerdyke did among the 
soldiers here, all through the golden days of June, 
was as much needed and as highly appreciated as 
any during the whole period of civil strife. She 
went about the camps in a huge army wagon, loaded 
with stores of all kinds; and distributed with her own 



A Costly Calico. 159 

hands great bales of clean linen, and countless pounds 
of dainty eatables for those who \v^ere suffering from 
sickness or exhaustion. 

It was her greatest pleasure to enter some tent, 
where languished a poor weary boy, so disheartened 
and fatigued by the recent hardships of war that life 
itself was a burden, and there diffuse the sparkling 
animation of her own lively and hopeful disposition. 
She always brought some pleasing gift — perhaps a 
glass of jelly, clear as a topaz, or a soft pillow, and 
some fresh white towels. These were given with a 
native grace and smile, which made them thrice wel- 
come. 

Here in sight of the capitol gleaming like a palace 
of marble over the roofs of the city, in which the 
beauty and wealth and wisdom of the whole nation 
concentrated, Mrs. Bickerdyke wore as simple a dress, 
and every action was as modest and unselfish, as 
when she had labored so earnestly, where roared the 
artillery for a hundred days at the fall of Georgia's 
citadel. What to her were the pomp and pleasures 
enjoyed in yonder banquet halls ? She lived in a 
different world. In the valley of humility she saw 
true heroes — the brave self-sacrificing soldiers, who 
had given their all for the Union— poor and neglected 
in sickness, and far from friends and home. It 
seemed as though a kind Providence had implanted 
in her heart so much kindness, and such broad sym- 
pathies, that she might take the place of those moth- 
ers who yearned anxiously for their absent sons. 

As the summer advanced, large numbers of soldiers 



1(50 Mother Bickerdyke. 

left the fair city of Washington, and when General 
Logan ordered his army to different scenes, he re- 
quested Mrs. Bickerdyke to remain with them. For 
months she traveled tlirough the South and West> 
engaged in such occupations as have hitherto been 
described; for though the battles were ended, and 
once more national peace began to revive prosperity, 
the loss of which had affected the whole contin nt, 
thousands of men had become disabled or unfit for 
civil occupations. The great military hospitals were 
crowded with them, and many of the cities were filled 
with discharged soldiers, who could find no suitable 
employment. Through lingering weeks Mrs. Bicker- 
dyk? was familiarly seen in the haunts of pain, and 
wherever distress or sickness were found. Her large 
sense of right and justice was frequently offended by 
the neglect of men, who, though brought to poverty 
and with no ambition, she knew had been reduced to 
their present state through one of the most sublime 
sentiments — that of patriotism. 

In Chicago she did a noble deed for them. Large 
numbers of soldiers had gathered there, and were un- 
able to obtain work. Our country grants special 
privileges to men who have served in the army, when 
they wish to take up public lands, and Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke was active in causing a vast number of veterans 
in Chicago to settle the promising prairies of KansaS) 
which then were uncultivated wilds. These men were 
well fitted for the lives of frontiersmen, having ac- 
quired a taste for adventure, and being accustomed 
to active labor in the open air. 



Letters of Gratitude. 161 

Being encouraged to industry and enterprise, they 
succeeded admirably in their attempts, and now their 
homes, in the midst of waving grain fields, present the 
most charming pictures of domestic usefulness and 
comfort 

Mrs. Bickerdyke often receives letters from those 
who were " her boys," in the by-gone days of the Re- 
bellion, telling her of contented and happy lives here, 
surrounded by all that renders existence delightful. 
Photographs are sent of fair and dimpled children, 
who are the treasures and ornaments of the happy 
firesides so glowingly described : and upon every leaf 
of those friendly missives, are words of gratitude for 
what Mother Bickerdyke has enabled them to enjoy. 
The days of life's decline find her still employed 
with her chosen tasks. For nearly ten years she has 
lived chiefly in San Francisco, and though her cir- 
cumstances have been straitened, compelling her 
many times to seek employment as a nurse, in order 
that she might maintain herself, she has done much 
in securing richly-deserved pensions for soldiers who 
have been seriously maimed in the late war. She has 
countless letters from them, asking for a word of re- 
membrance, or other aid; and in their behalf she has 
journeyed several times to Washington, where her ef- 
forts were of great value to them. 

Upon one occasion, as she was returning from the 
capital, she was met at Topeka by several hundred 
soldiers, who had known her during the war, or at 
Chicago afterwards. The cars stopped but a short 
time yet her hand was taken in the frank clasp of 
II 



162 Mother Bickerdyke. 

so many friends, that she was unable to offer it longer; 
and blessings were showered upon the " dear old 
mother of the soldiers." When the train was about 
to start, hearty cheers for the "general " filled the air, 
recalling the old days of youthful enthusiasm and 
patriotic fervor. 

This incident is related by Mrs. William Spin- 
ning, wife of the young cavalryman mentioned in the 
third chapter. Since the war he became a minister 
of the gospel, and now has charge of a parish at the 
mission within a few blocks of Mrs. Bickerdyke's 
present home. Mr. Spinning brought his family to 
San Francisco quite recently, and as they were on 
the journey hither, they happened to be on the same 
train with Mrs. Bickerdyke. In the cozy parsonage 
at the quiet old mission, voices ring sweetly out in 
the music of childish glee; and here she is received 
with more than courteous warmth, her welcome be- 
ing tinged with a sense of gratitude for her kindness 
long ago to the young soldier at Corinth. 

Time, that wizard, who is constantly followed by 
changes, often permits them to come stealin;^ in his 
footsteps so insidiously that a retrospective glance is 
startling. Hundreds of young volunteers who joined 
the army in "1861, and in the dark years that followed, 
dwell here upon the calm Pacific shores, 

Where opal waves 

Come softly beating from the west, 
Bearing like crowns the pearly sprays 

That glisten on each rounded crest. 

They have laved the Orient shore that lies 
'Neath summer suns that ne'er retreat, 

And yet they are nearer Paradise, 
When here at California's feet. 



Soldiers in the West. 163 

Some also who have won laurels upon those crim- 
soned fields of the Rebellion grace the city with their 
presence. General Stoneman, crovernor of this S'ate, 
is often seen at reviews and parades of the National 
Guard; and thus he calls to mind his inestimable 
services to the Union, during the spring of 1865,- 
when he led his cavalry corps across the mountains 
of Tennessee on his famous raid through the South. 

General O. O. Howard, now in command of the 
Military Division of the Pacific, has his headquarters 
at h'ort Mason, or Black Point, as it is usually called, 
where his home is surrounded by gardens of perpetual 
flowers, and looks across the water upon fort-crowned 
Alcatraz, that sets like a jewel upon the bosom of the 
bay. Northward, the purple heights of Mount Ta- 
malpais rise among the green hills of Marin County, 
from which Angel Island, with its smooth outlines, is 
separated by a narrow channel. Buildings cluster 
upon the shores; and fine ferry-boats and queenly 
ships breast the tranquil waters, while trim yachts are 
lightly wafted about, giving a sense of life and action 
to the beautiful view. 

In the evening, the sunset gun is fired from the 
terraced slopes of Alcatraz; and as the dusk deepens 
into night, the flashing light from the beacon on the 
battlements at Fort Point tells to mariners, with the 
constancy of the North Star, where may be found the 
Golden Gate. When all surrounding objects are ob- 
scured by volumes of fog, which sometimes creep in 
from the sea, the deep tones of the sirene do this duty. 

The Presidio of San Francisco was established as a 



164 Mother Bickerdyke. 

military post to protect the first missionaries, and 
was occupied by Spanish and Mexican troops, until 
the year 1847, when it passed under the dominion of 
the United States. Its history is intimately con- 
nected with the Mission Dolores, from which a single 
road wound across the hills, when those between it 
and the beach, upon which the city of San Francisco 
now rests, was mantled only with primeval shrubbery 
and wild verdure. 

The National Cemetery is in the Government Res- 
ervation, adjoining the Presidio, and here, departed 
soldiers sleej). Among tliem, General Irwin McDowell 
is laid U) rest. Beneath the ivy and cedars that 
flourish in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery, slumber 
many soldiers, and General Miller, the late United 
States Senator, is interred among those tablet cov- 
ered eminences. 

Colonel Edward D. Baker reposes. 

Where marble spires crown the hills 

Within the Golden Gate, 
The breeze from the Paciric thrills 

Through trees that seem to wait 

For night to cover them with dew 

Which they may shed like tears, 
Above the men who wore the blue, 

And fell in other years. 

The mournful march and minute guns 

Sound on Memorial Day, 
When memory culls for those brave sons 

The opening gems of May. 

In Laurel Hill a soldier sleeps, 

One of illustrious name, 
Whose services our history keeps 

Upon the page of fame. 

'Twas he who led the ranks of blue, 

Upon that fatal day 
At Ball's Bluff, and who never knew 

The terror of dismay. 



Arlington Heights. 165 

He fell upon that gory field, 

And now he slumbers here. 
Unto his honored tomb we yield 
Fair blossoms, with a tear 

That wells where sorrow's fountain leaps, 

And yet "tis half of pride, 
That in our fair young land now sleeps 

One who so bravely died. 

At Arlington Heights, near the city of Washing- 
ton, thousands of green hillocks billow the peaceful 
slopes, and beneath them an army slumbers. One 
evening a stianger came through the dusk, and, after 
scanning with earnest eyes a number of the head- 
stones, knelt beside a grave and bedewed it with 
tears. Neither father, brother, nor son slumber there; 
yet it was one united to him by ties as strong. It 
was his friend — a friend who had died for him. When 
he was drafted into the army, and was about to be 
compelled to leave an invalid wife and four helpless 
little children, two of them still in infancy, a noble 
young man who had no such domestic ties, volun- 
teered to take his place. This brave soldier marched 
away in the beauty and promise of youth, and fell 
in battle. He was so fortunate as to be buried in a 
grave on these hallowed slopes, and with each re- 
turning Memorial day, fresh blossoms are left upon the 
sacred mound by th • friend fopwhom he died. 

Such inci ents were not rare during those terrible 
years of the Rebellion, and they are deeds to which 
we may look up with feelings of adoration, since 
they prove the existence of something divine in the 
human heart. 

This scene suggests a simile — Mother Bickerdyke 
kneeling upon the gory fields to bind up wounds, 



166 Mother Bickerdvke. 

•.vatching at midnight in dreary hospital wards, 
smoothing the hot pillows of those who rave in the 
delirium of fever, and hurrying through the icy gaks 
of winter to frail tents, with life-saving potions, all 
are typical of what the mothers of those soldiers 
yearned to do, and would nave done had it been pos- 
sible. In their place Mrs. Bickerdyke visited those 
scenes, and in their steaci toiled through tho.se long 
and sorrowful years. 

She deserves from them, not a wreath of fading 
flowers, but the true and earnest friendship of sisters. 
Every heart that has glowed with a mother's love 
must thrill with .sympathy for this exalted mother, 
while those whose sons were soldiers cannot choose but 
pay to her the tribute of soul-felt gratitude. 

The esteem and favor in which she is held by the 
officers and rank and file of the .United States army 
have been illustrated by incidents in the preceding 
pages. These sentiments are richly merited, having 
been won by her womanly tenderness, her noble in- 
tellect, and exalted character. The services which 
she has rendered to our country cannot be estimated, 
though they are so widely attested by the name 
that covers her with honor and fame. She is a her- 
oine in the eyes of thousands, and as long as warm 
life-blood beats in the hearts of those who fought in 
the great Western army, there will always be arms to 
protect and lips to praise Mrs. Bickerdyke, the sol- 
dier's mother, and the soldier's friend. 



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